Scottish Government

Thursday 08 October 2020

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Economy

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what the current capability is of the offshore wind supply chain market to meet the demand that will be created by the ScotWind Leasing programme. (S5W-30619) Paul Wheelhouse: Scotland is an ideal location for offshore wind, with 462,000 km 2 of Exclusive Economic Zone, a strong track record in delivering complex infrastructure in an often hostile offshore environment, excellent academic base and having been the location for test and demonstration of both fixed foundation and floating wind farms. However, the outturn in terms of procurement decisions taken by developers, tier 1 contractors, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in regards to the most recent projects has been hugely disappointing. These projects have not delivered the significant economic benefits suggested by applicants through the consenting process and, as we have made clear, they fall well short of what we would want to see for the existing Scottish offshore wind supply chain and in terms of facilitating a just transition for the oil and gas supply chain to help fill capacity gaps and to fully utilise a highly skilled, capable and productive workforce.

We understand the position taken by developers, to effect that the UK Government’s Contract for Difference mechanism has, in driving a welcome reduction in prices paid by consumers, not given sufficient weight to the need to support innovation and development of the supply chain and that, in practice, low strike prices have led to risk and cost reduction being forced down the supply chain, resulting in contracts being placed outside the Scotland, the UK and, indeed, Europe in favour of production in low cost labour markets where there is a danger that fair work principles are not embedded. We have consistently argued for reform of the CfD mechanism and have repeated these calls in our response to UK Ministers’ consultation on the CfD process.

The ScotWind leasing round – the first to be undertaken by our newly devolved Crown Estate Scotland - will, in developing Supply Chain development Agreements with all successful bidders, help to create a collaborative culture between developers and the supply chain to release more of those economic benefits for the Scottish economy and ensure that Scottish companies are considered when tendering for work in Scottish offshore projects. This will be a significant advance in approach since transfer from the previously fully reserved process under the Crown Estate and UK Ministers. At the follow up to our Offshore Wind Energy Supply Chain Summit in January of this year, it was agreed that the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC), which I Co-chair, will instigate a short, focussed independent review, which will consider the current status of the offshore supply chain in Scotland and determine the barriers to growth and the opportunities that will provide longevity for the supply chain in the future.

This work expected to report by the end of 2020, and will help to inform future policy around offshore wind supply chain. This work will take into account the scale of potential development coming forward under the forthcoming ScotWind leasing round and the Scottish Government’s forthcoming Offshore Wind Policy Statement, which will set out our increased ambition for offshore wind in Scottish waters for 2030.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to facilitate investment in the (a) growth and (b) capability of the offshore wind supply chain market. (S5W-30620) Paul Wheelhouse: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-30619 on 8 October 2020. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Michelle Ballantyne (South Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had since June 2020, both internally and externally, regarding the development of a global underwater hub near Aberdeen. (S5W-31958) Paul Wheelhouse: The Global Underwater Hub (GUH) is a key investment opportunity for the development of the subsea engineering sector and it is a concept that has been discussed on a number of occasions prior to June 2020 through the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group (SLG) and predecessor Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Group. We had signalled our support in principle early in those discussions and the GUH is one of a number of projects being considered for funding by our £62 million Energy Transition Fund, which was announced in June of this year, incorporating feedback gathered through the SLG, which I chair.

Funding will be conditional on the approval of the GUH business case and, since June of this year, the Scottish Government is working closely with project partners as this business case is developed. This includes ongoing engagement with project partners, Subsea UK and Scottish Enterprise, along with the UK Government (BEIS) who have also been approached by the sector to jointly fund the proposal.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what independent research it has (a) commissioned and (b) consulted on regarding the role that Freeports can play in incentivising international trade, boosting innovation and regenerating disadvantaged areas post-Brexit. (S5W-32011) Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government commissioned research from Edinburgh University’s School of Economics on the likely benefits and costs of freeports. This work, received in October 2019, did not focus on UK Government plans for implementation of freeports set out in a UK Government consultation document published in February 2020.

The Scottish Government has additionally used open source research, including from the UK Trade Policy Observatory at the University of Sussex, to help shape thinking surrounding freeports and on whether they could play a role in incentivising international trade, boosting innovation, and helping regenerate disadvantaged areas post-Brexit. We would expect the UK Government to undertake research to support its proposals and share their evidence with us.

Ministers and officials have held regular discussions with UK Government counterparts on proposals for freeports. However, we await further, more detailed information about the implementation of the UK Government’s Freeport policy, including on the reserved tax and funding incentives to be offered. We will consider this and all relevant information and evidence carefully in determining our approach to freeports in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has consulted widely with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, hosting a number of sessions with representatives of multiple sectors of the Scottish economy, including Scottish port operators. These sessions have highlighted specific reservations about the Freeports policy, such as the potential for economic displacement, as well as some potential benefits.

Discussions and engagement with the UK Government and Scottish stakeholders will continue as we seek to establish a robust evidence base with regard to all the potential impacts of this policy on Scotland’s economy.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) the UK Government and (b) Scottish port authorities regarding the Freeport competition. (S5W-32012) Ivan McKee: Ministers and officials have held regular discussions with UK Government counterparts on proposals for freeports. However, we await further, more detailed information about implementation of the UK Government’s Freeport policy, including on the reserved tax and funding incentives to be offered. We will consider this and all relevant information and evidence carefully in determining our approach to freeports in Scotland.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what role it will play in promoting the Freeport competition. (S5W-32013) Ivan McKee: Ministers and officials have held regular discussions with UK Government counterparts on proposals for freeports. However, we await further, more detailed information about implementation of the UK Government’s Freeport policy, including on the reserved tax and financial incentives to be offered.

The UK Government freeport competition concerns bids for potential freeports in England only. The UK Government has stated that it will work with the Scottish Government to determine how the location for any Scottish freeports would be selected, should Scotland ultimately choose to have freeports. However, we await clarity from the UK Government on its modelling of evidence of positive economic impact and the full range of incentives available prior to making a final policy decision.

While the proposal to introduce freeports is a UK Government policy, we are giving it detailed consideration. To that end, discussions and engagement will continue as we seek to establish a robust evidence base with regard to all the potential impacts of this policy on the Scottish economy.

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any (a) economic and (b) social advantage of Freeports. (S5W-32014) Ivan McKee: Assessment of any potential economic and social impacts, including advantages of freeports to Scotland, is ongoing.

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Green Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to questions S5W-31705 and S5W-31706 by Fergus Ewing on 17 September 2020, by what date it will publish the full business case for the future of Cairn Gorm funicular, and whether this will be prior to it making a decision on whether to allow full public scrutiny. (S5W-32017) Fergus Ewing: The business case for the Cairngorm funicular commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) takes into account the findings of a 2018 study - Cairngorm Ski Area Feasibility Assessment & Strategic Plan, November 2018 - which was informed by wide consultation with local and national stakeholders. HIE has also carried out detailed consultation this year to help shape a new vision and masterplan for Cairngorm. HIE will publish the business case in the coming weeks, when its decision around the next steps for the Cairngorm funicular will also be made known.

Alex Cole-Hamilton (Edinburgh Western) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government whether personal stylists are classed as tradespeople and therefore exempt from the new COVID-19 restrictions. (S5W-32067) Christina McKelvie: The UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities groups businesses according to their economic activity; there is no standardised definition of “tradesperson”. The measures introduced on ‎ 22 September did not curtail retail or trade activities that were operating on or before that date. Maurice Golden (West Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been (a) allocated and (b) delivered to each venue awarded support from the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund. (S5W-32110) Fiona Hyslop: The £12.5m Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund is being managed by Creative Scotland on behalf of Scottish Government.

The Fund comprises two strands; £7.5m targeted funding for performing arts venues in Scotland currently in receipt of Regular Funding through Creative Scotland, and a £5m open fund for not-for-profit performing arts venues that are not currently in receipt of Regular Funding.

On 5 August Creative Scotland announced that 20 regularly funded venues across Scotland will receive a total of £7.5m from the first strand of the Fund.

On 24 September Creative Scotland announced that 59 venues across Scotland will receive a total of £4.7m from the open call for applications to the second strand of the Fund.

The following tables sets out (a) the level of funding allocated to each organisation and (b) the latest information on the timing of delivery of these funds to each venue that has been awarded support from the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund.

Table 1: Recipients of Strand One of the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund Local Award Venue Funds Delivered Authority Total Aberdeen Performing Aberdeen City £750,000 Arts Na h-Eileanan An Lanntair £100,000 Siar Beacon Arts Successful applicants received their first Inverclyde £114,000 Centre payment on 10 August except Citizens Theatre which received its first payment CCA: Centre on 12 August. As regularly funded for Glasgow City £214,500 organisations (RFOs) the remainder of Contemporary the award will be added to the Arts organisations’ regular cashflow Citizens Glasgow City £100,000 payments in October and January Theatre Argyll and Comar £119,000 Bute City of Dance Base £256,200 Edinburgh Dundee Repertory Dundee City £480,907 Theatre Eden Court Theatre and Highland £750,000 Cinema Horsecross Perth and £749,900 Arts Kinross Macrobert Arts Stirling £485,213 Centre Pitlochry Perth and Festival £400,000 Kinross Theatre Platform (Glasgow East Glasgow City £75,400 Arts Co) Royal Lyceum City of Theatre £750,000 Edinburgh Company Shetland Arts Shetland Development £247,582 Islands Agency The Barn Aberdeenshire £105,000 The City of Storytelling £213,000 Edinburgh Centre/TRACS Tramway Glasgow City £549,000 Traverse City of £500,000 Theatre Edinburgh Tron Theatre Glasgow City £499,849

Table 2: Recipients of Strand Two of the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund Award Local Funds Applicant name & Venue(s) name Authority Delivered Total Alhambra Theatre Trust - Alhambra Creative Fife £162,302 Theatre Scotland AngusAlive - The Webster (Arbroath), issued Reid Hall (Forfar) and Montrose Town Angus £92,411 contracts on 1 Hall October and successful City of Assembly Theatre Ltd - The Roxy £85,000 applicants Edinburgh have been South Ayr Gaiety Partnership – Ayr Gaiety £250,000 Ayrshire Birnam Arts Centre – Birnam Arts Perth and £116,563 Centre Kinross Brunton Theatre – The Brunton East Lothian £250,000 Theatre Capital Theatres Trust – Festival City of £250,000 Theatre and Kings Theatre Edinburgh Castlegate Arts – Aberdeen Arts Aberdeen City £55,000 Centre asked to return Charlies Rennie Mackintosh Society – Glasgow City £56,000 them to Queen’s Cross Creative Culture and Leisure NL – Motherwell Scotland no Concert Hall and Theatre Complex, North £203,743 later than 30 Airdrie Town Hall, Bellshill Cultural Lanarkshire October. Centre Duncan Mackinnon Music and Arts Scottish £29,900 Trust – Mac Arts Borders Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust – Dunoon Argyll and Three-quarters £180,307 Burgh Hall Bute of the award East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure East payment will £90,000 – Eastwood Park Theatre Renfrewshire be issued on receipt of the Eastgate Theatre (Peebles) Ltd – Scottish £70,000 signed Eastgate Theatre Borders contract (and City of Edinburgh City Council – Usher Hall £240,450 condition Edinburgh satisfaction, if Falkirk Community Trust – Falkirk any). Falkirk £73,690 Town Hall Fife Cultural Trust – Adam Smith Theatre, Lochgelly Centre, Rothes Fife £230,000 Halls, Carnegie Hall The final 25% will be Glasgow Life – Glasgow Royal released in Concert Halls/Fruitmarket and City Glasgow City £249,824 January 2021. Halls; Kelvingrove Bandstand Glenkens Community and Arts Trust - Dumfries and £75,000 Catstrand Galloway Guild of Players – Dumfries Theatre Dumfries and £103,068 Royal Galloway Leisure and Culture Dundee – Caird Dundee City £25,000 Hall City of Leith Theatre Trust – Leith Theatre £138,214 Edinburgh Linnhe Leisure – Nevis Centre Highland £50,000 Live Argyll – Corran Halls, Victoria Argyll and £186,000 Halls, Queens Hall (Dunoon) Bute Scottish Live Borders – Heart of Hawick £68,147 Borders Lyth Arts Centre – Lyth Arts Centre Highland £97,000 Nairn Community and Arts Centre – Highland £89,000 Nairn Community and Arts Centre City of Out of the Blue – Out of the Blue £67,034 Edinburgh Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall – Orkney £150,000 Pickaquoy Centre Islands City of Queen's Hall – Queen’s Hall £175,000 Edinburgh Queen Margaret Union – Queen Glasgow City £26,925 Margaret Union Reconnect – The Regal, Bathgate West Lothian £25,000 Renfrewshire Leisure – Paisley Arts Renfrewshire £71,961 Centre South Lanarkshire Culture and Leisure Ltd – The Town House (Hamilton), South Rutherglen Town Hall, Lanark £250,000 Lanarkshire Memorial Hall, East Kilbride Village Theatre, East Kilbride Arts Centre St Margaret's Trust Braemar – St Aberdeenshire £19,970 Margaret’s Stirling Council – Tolbooth and Albert Stirling £79,913 Halls The Buccleuch Centre – The Dumfries and £25,000 Buccleuch Centre Galloway The Byre (University of St Andrews) – Fife £131,090 The Byre The Dundee Whitehall Theatre – The Dundee City £52,800 Dundee Whitehall Theatre The Garret Mask and Puppet Centre Trust Ltd – The Scottish Mask and Glasgow City £50,000 Puppet Centre West Lothian Leisure – Howden Park West Lothian £95,000 Theatre ‎ TOTAL £4,736,312

Education, Communities and Justice James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its Programme for Government commitment to publish jointly with COSLA an updated Ending Homelessness Together action plan. (S5W-32364) Kevin Stewart: There has been an extraordinary response to ensure people experiencing homelessness, particularly those sleeping rough, were safe and supported during the pandemic.

In June I reconvened the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) - chaired by Jon Sparkes, CEO of Crisis - to provided us with a comprehensive set of recommendations on tackling homelessness during the pandemic and longer term.

These new recommendations, alongside our existing plans for tackling homelessness, has led to an updated Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan - published 8 October.

In this updated plan, we also set out proposals to modify the night shelter provision this winter and our ambition to end their use altogether.

To support this transition, we are establishing rapid rehousing welcome centres to provide an under-one-roof service to people experiencing the most acute forms of homelessness, focused on supporting people into settled homes with the support they need.

The updated Action Plan commits to strengthening the voices of those who have experienced homelessness in the policy-making process, advancing legislative protections for people experiencing domestic abuse and exploring alternative routes to reduce migrant homelessness.

The Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group (HPSG), which I co-chair alongside Cllr Whitham, COSLA community wellbeing spokesperson, will continue to oversee the delivery of the updated action plan.

The updated Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan can be accessed here .

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government, further to the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on 23 September 2020 (Official Report, c.20), whether it will provide a full list of the stakeholders that the cabinet secretary said he had spoken to “to seek their views on the areas of the [Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill]" that he was "committed to considering”; what date each discussion took place, and whether it will publish the minutes of each discussion. (S5W-32018) Humza Yousaf: I met with the following stakeholders to seek their views on the areas of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill that I was considering amending:

• Faculty of Advocates (04 September 2020) • Law Society of Scotland (14 September 2020) • Humanist Society Scotland (14 September 2020) • Catholic Church (14 September 2020) • Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Group [1] (22 September 2020) • Scottish PEN (22 September 2020) • Federation of Scottish Theatre (22 September 2020) • National Union of Journalists (22 September 2020) • Scottish Society of Playwrights (22 September 2020) • Writers’ Guild (22 September 2020) • Scottish Police Federation (22 September 2020)

These engagements informed the development of the policy change to the Bill that I outlined to Parliament on 23 September 2020. Discussion also covered a range of other matters connected with the Bill as well as wider hate crime policy.

Short notes of the meetings will be published here by the end of the month and once permission has been received from the organisations in attendance.

[1] https://www.gov.scot/groups/tackling-prejudice-and-building-connected- communities-action-group/ .

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce regular COVID-19 testing in prisons for (a) prisoners and (b) staff. (S5W-32034) Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

COVID-19 testing is already available for all those living and working in prisons in Scotland presenting with symptoms.

Where an individual in custody displays symptoms of Covid-19, they are required to self-isolate and take a test. NHS Health Boards have tested those in custody who are showing signs of Covid-19 since 25 May 2020/ Early testing of those in custody who present as symptomatic ensures there is no unnecessary requirement to hold someone in isolation for a prolonged period. In line with public health advice, any SPS staff member who displays symptoms of Covid-19 is also required to self-isolate and are advised to take a test. SPS staff access to testing was introduced in April 2020 and, as key workers, staff may be tested by local NHS Health Boards or they can access National Testing Centres through the key staff portal.

The Scottish Government is not planning to introduce regular testing of asymptomatic people in prisons. Taking the test when an individual has had no symptoms is often not helpful – it cannot exclude the possibility that the virus is present.

The COVID-19 tests we use in Scotland work by detecting evidence of the virus in a person’s nose or throat sample. These tests cannot tell us whether or not someone is incubating the disease, but only if the virus is present at the time when they are tested. This means that testing is a single point in time assessment of whether a person may be infectious but it cannot tell us whether a person is going to become ill in the future.

Monica Lennon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many prisoners have tested positive for COVID-19 each month, broken down by prison. (S5W-32038) Humza Yousaf: I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Interim Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

I can confirm that, as at 8 October, there have been 35 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. This has been across 8 establishments. Where the number is less than 10, this has been marked as

Establishment Number of Positive Cases

HMP Addiewell 16 HMP Barlinnie <10 HMP Dumfries <10 HMP Edinburgh <10 HMP Grampian <10 HMP Kilmarnock <10 HMP Low Moss <10 HMP Perth <10

TOTAL 35 Health and Social Care

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of NHS Dumfries and Galloway's plans to deliver the 2020 flu vaccine. (S5W-32016) Joe FitzPatrick: Responsibility for delivering the Seasonal Flu Vaccine in 2020-21 rests with Health Boards and Integration Authorities with support from GP practices. The administration of vaccinations provided in General Practices will depend on each Health Board’s individual delivery model. Boards will use the delivery model which is most suitable for their local circumstances, whilst maintaining a Covid-safe environment.

The Scottish Government is working closely with Health Boards and other delivery partners to achieve the aim that everyone eligible for a free flu vaccination will receive an appointment invitation for the programme, which commenced on 1 October.

Organisational Development and Operations

Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle the reported mass redundancies in Aberdeen City and Shire as a result of the oil industry downturn, and whether it plans to offer social security packages to mitigate against any economic impact on families. (S5W-31377) Paul Wheelhouse: The Scottish Government recognises that COVID-19 and the decrease in oil and gas prices has had a significant impact on both the oil and gas sector and the North East of Scotland, and this has unfortunately led to a number of redundancies across the sector and more may yet follow as the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme comes to an end. We are providing support to any individuals affected by redundancy through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment, PACE initiative.

The Scottish Government has committed £100 million in 2020-21 to support those looking for work or at risk of redundancy to retrain and get back into work. This package of support will include a job guarantee for young people, a new national retraining scheme and more funding to provide immediate assistance and advice if people are made redundant. I shall seek to ensure that the sector is aware of all opportunities for support for individuals arising from this funding, for example in supporting transition to alternative employment, through a £25 million economy-wide National Transition Training Fund, having learned from the previous oil and gas specific £12 million Transition Training Fund, now closed, which operated successfully to support oil and gas sector workers during the last downturn in oil and gas prices.

Fair Start Scotland, our employment support service for Scotland, is a vital element of our approach to helping people back into work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Fair Start Scotland aims to support a minimum of 38,000 individuals, including those who face the greatest challenges accessing the labour market. The service provides flexible support, taking into account personal circumstances and removing barriers to accessing work.

The Scottish Government is already providing support to those who are facing financial hardship, through Crisis Grants from the Scottish Welfare Fund. Crisis Grants can be used to support people and families on low income who find themselves in an emergency (such as losing their job) or disaster (e.g. a fire or flood). The budget was more than doubled in response to the pandemic and over £6.9 million has already been awarded in Crisis Grants between March and June 2020

The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the UK Government which retains many of the key levers required to support the sector, including delivery of a North Sea Transition Deal. This will add support to our own £62 million Energy Transition Fund, launched in July, and developed with input from the Oil and Gas and Energy Transition Strategic Leadership Group that I Chair. We recognise it is critical that both Governments are doing all that we can to protect jobs and minimise any negative impact of COVID-19 on groups particularly affected by the pandemic and I want, for our part, to reassure those working in the sector that is exactly what the Scottish Government intends to do.

Transport Scotland

Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to further the interests of Scottish veterans in terms of making rail travel more affordable. (S5W-32365) Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government recognises and values the contribution our veterans have made to their country. We are supportive of a Veterans Railcard scheme to help make rail travel more attractive and affordable. That is why we have set aside funding for an additional introductory discount valid until March 2021.

It is expected that this introductory offer will encourage veterans resident in Scotland to participate in the Rail Delivery Group scheme once it is launched. This additional discount will be provided by a rail voucher redeemable against travel, supplementing the year round benefits offered by this type of railcard. We have asked the Rail Delivery Group to confirm the full details of the Veterans Rail Card scheme at the earliest opportunity.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government when the refit period for the MV Hamnavoe will take place; how long it will last, and what plans are in place to ensure that a passenger vessel will be allocated to the Stromness-Scrabster route as replacement cover during the refit period. (S5W-32186) Paul Wheelhouse: The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January 2021 and the dry docking will coincide with the forecast period of least demand identified from both a passenger and freight perspective.

Serco NorthLink continue to use their best endeavours to search for suitable tonnage available on the charter market taking account of the specific requirements of both Stromness and Scrabster.

At present, no final decision has been taken by the operator. In the absence of replacement tonnage either MV Helliar or MV Hildasay will be utilised on the Pentland Firth crossing during this short period as has been the case in recent years.

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Transport Scotland and SERCO Northlink Ferries to find a suitable replacement vessel for when the MV Hamnavoe is on refit. (S5W-32187) Paul Wheelhouse: The subject continues to be discussed between the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland officials and Serco NorthLink during regular contract management engagement.

The MV Hamnavoe will be unavailable for five days in January 2021 and the dry docking will coincide with the forecast period of least demand identified from both a passenger and freight perspective.

Serco NorthLink continue to use their best endeavours to search for suitable tonnage available on the charter market taking account of the specific requirements of both Stromness and Scrabster.

Serco NorthLink’s plans for the MV Hamnavoe refit will also be discussed at the next scheduled six monthly Ministerial meeting with the operator on 15 December 2020.