To ask the Scottish Government when it will issue an invitation to tender to operate the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services for a six year period from 2016; what the stages of the tendering process will be; when the closing date will be, and when the successful bidder will be announced.
The new contract will take effect from 1 October 2016. I will make an announcement shortly confirming the approach and project timeline, including the key stages of the tender process.