Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 23 March 2022
I am aware of the time—I think that I have 10 seconds left.
That discussion could better ensure a collaborative approach, going forward.
I assured Mr Kerr that I would come to “Project Neptune”. As part of our drive for strategic improvement, we commissioned an independent review—which was alluded to by Mr Simpson—of the current legal and governance arrangements for the existing tripartite of Transport Scotland, CMAL, David MacBrayne and its subsidiary, CalMac Ferries Ltd, which currently operates the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services, or CHFS, network.
As Mr Simpson knows, I have committed to making a statement to Parliament to that end. I received the report from officials late last week and, along with the relevant Audit Scotland recommendations, we will now consider options for reform and improvement. “Project Neptune” potentially offers options for structural changes to how we deliver some elements of our ferry services.
Given the complexity of that and given what each option might mean for the bodies and staff involved, I will not set out the detail of that today, but I want to reassure members that I will be launching further engagement with key stakeholders on those options, following a statement to Parliament, as was previously committed to.
I recognise the vital importance of Scotland’s ferry network to our island communities. It is imperative that the Government gets it right—and that it is honest when we do not. As Minister for Transport, I am absolutely committed to listening to the needs of our island communities and acting to make the improvements that are necessary.
I move amendment S6M-03712.2, to leave out from “believes that islanders” to end and insert:
“agrees that ferry services provide an essential lifeline to island and remote rural communities and their economies; recognises that, through adverse weather events and COVID-19 causing many cancellations on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services routes, this has been a challenging winter for island residents, businesses and communities; commends the vessel masters for the key role that they are trained to play in ensuring people’s and vessels’ safety with the decisions that they make about how and when ferries can sail; acknowledges that technical issues causing some vessels to be further laid up have added to people’s frustrations and inconvenience; notes that, since 2007, over £2 billion has been invested in service contracts, new vessels and infrastructure and that, in the current five-year period, a further £580 million has been committed, enabling harbour investments, two new vessels for Islay to be built and the purchase of the MV Loch Frisa; further notes the Scottish Government commitment to publish the Islands Connectivity Plan by the end of 2022; welcomes that the Scottish Government saved Ferguson Marine, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, from closure, rescuing more than 300 jobs and ensuring that two new ferry vessels will be delivered, while noting the planned revised timetable and costs for completion of these two vessels; condemns the recent actions by P&O Ferries in the strongest possible terms, and makes clear the Scottish Government’s support for P&O Ferries employees, and agrees that ‘fire and rehire’ practices should be outlawed and have no place in a fairer, greener Scotland.”
15:46Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.