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Bill, do you want to explain that?

I have already made representations on the matter to the UK minister, who says that he will review it. However, if priority is given to cross-border lines, that has an impact on our ScotRail services and that will appear in the figures for delays that you have concerns about. We should all be keeping our eye on that.

We have more routes and increasing numbers of passengers. As far as recovery is concerned, we are likely to see even more positive figures this year.

With regard to performance, I do not see everything in a sugar-coated way; indeed, I was quite specific in my discussion with the deputy convener about our expectation with regard to the PPM. I would emphasise that our PPM is a joint one between ScotRail and Network Rail, and your question, convener, is on only one aspect of that, which is the performance of the operator.

As for the decision making around public ownership, the committee looked at the LCM, and I recall committee members of a certain party being opposed to the changes in terms of public ownership and the fact that it would no longer be about the public sector acting as an operator of last resort; instead, it could be an active decision to be made when franchises came to an end. That was on a UK-wide basis, but we had already taken the decision ourselves.

I will certainly look at the statistics for the number of trains, but there is an issue with the length of trains. As many people will know, we have increased the number of carriages on trains on the west Highland line. I know from my own railway journey that there used to be four carriages, but they have lengthened the trains on the line. I can get into statistical areas—

I am very keen that it is delivered, because we are now in a situation in which it is absolutely needed. However, parallel processes were taking place and, for example, SPT, which is the authority that is leading on this, has only just come to its conclusion.

We were being told when I was sitting where you are sitting, as a member of the committee, that the draft guidance would be given to us then, so I do not want to speculate on how delayed it is from when it was originally promised. The delay was extensive—it was not only a year—but there is a lot of work involved. We have to consult key people, particularly those in the Competition and Markets Authority.

I know from talking to colleagues in other parts of the UK that the threat of legal action was very real—in fact, it was realised in some instances. Therefore, getting it right and ensuring that guidance helps to avoid any such situation is very important.

I am trying to get you to manage your expectations, because people should be clear that there is not a huge amount of funding.

There are different stages to franchising. The rest of the UK is behind where we are, but we know from experience that it can take a long time. The process in Manchester took six or seven years and involved a legal challenge. We are trying to ensure that whatever comes can be as robust as possible. The proposals will come from SPT and others and must be as strong as possible.

Resourcing will be subject to the plans that come forward. We have yet to see a plan from SPT but anticipate that the company will provide a great deal of the finance. It may also ask for money from Government, but I do not know what that ask will be yet.

The delay has not prevented the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport from publishing its proposals. It has done that, which is good—and that is the movement. The power is with our regional transport partnerships. Unless you want a command-and-control approach to the bus system in Scotland, you have to provide the legislation, which we have done, and the statutory instruments, which we have done. We are ahead of the UK on this, and, with regard to the investment and the spending review, I have been told that any UK funding will not be available until 2027-28. Therefore, it is not the case that, somehow, something is going to happen immediately elsewhere and so we are behind—we are ahead of many other parts of the UK with regard to our legislation and statutory instruments. I have shared my frustration about the guidance, because I think that it is needed and will be helpful.

However, on your assertion about other regional transport partnerships, I would be very interested to hear whether there are other regional transport partnerships that want to pursue franchising specifically. A number of other regional transport partnerships have looked at other systems under the legislation, such as bus partnerships. I am not aware of this being an issue, so, if a regional transport partnership has come to you saying that it wants to move ahead with franchising and has not done so, I would be very keen to hear about that. The partnership that I know is very keen is SPT, and it is driving that approach forward. As you say, that covers the whole of Strathclyde, so it needs to take a number of councils with it on delivery.

I cannot give you a date, because the consultation will be with the people who need to be consulted—the CMA and the office of the traffic commissioner for Scotland. It will be published in draft with the local authorities and the RTPs who want to use it to make sure that it has everything that they want in it.

When we have a date, we will give it to you. I understand the frustrations, but the idea that somehow that has been holding things up is wrong. It clearly has not. It will be helpful for implementation. However, as I said, I have not heard that any other RTP is concerned about this issue. As I said, SPT has gone ahead with its consultation. I am not quite sure where that is coming from.

Convener, I am happy to move on to other areas.

That is not true. I came into office well over two years ago and I can categorically say that that has not been the Scottish Government’s position. We have wanted to see investment in Ardrossan; I have been clear about that, and that is my commitment.

I do not know what happened previously. Peel Ports might have been referring to a previous situation, because I do not recognise the reflection.

Obviously, there are two sides to any negotiation. This is a live negotiation, and both parties to it will want to advance their own position. Until such time as that negotiation is settled, I do not want to say anything that would prejudice it.

I am trying to remember. Was there not a question mark about the issue way back in 2017-18, when Humza Yousaf was transport minister? At that point, work was carried out and Humza Yousaf made a commitment, even at that time, that Ardrossan would be the place from where the ferries would operate. The issue is quite historic.

All that I am saying is that I am the person who has given the commitment that we will purchase the harbour, to ensure that we get the investments that we need.