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Specialist support will be provided by Scottish Governments Subsidy Control Team as and when required to complete the necessary due diligence on potential “Teckal” direct award.

Alongside the dedicated Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 team and internal specialist support, the Scottish Government have engaged with external advisors, taking note of previous community and key stakeholder engagement feedback to develop the public consultation on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services 3 contract.

Ministers are very clear about the importance of supporting ferry services, including those that link Gourock, Dunoon and Kilcreggan.

The Gourock Dunoon Kilcreggan Infrastructure and Vessels Programme is complex and work is underway to develop resilient vessel and port design options. This work is linked to the wider Islands Connectivity Plan, which will set out a long-term investment programme for vessels and ports across our ferry network. Any investment in new vessels and infrastructure will be subject to consideration of a business case considering value for money and affordability.

I met with trade union representatives on 30 November 2023, following on from her Parliamentary statement on 16 November. CHFS3 officials will be liaising with trade union representatives shortly to further discuss progress.

The last discussion between Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport took place on 18 January 2024. Transport Scotland was represented by Chief Executive Officer Alison Irvine.

Transport Scotland publishes the results of all regulated procurements through contract award notices on the Public Contracts Scotland website. In addition to the award of contracts, we also apply this requirement to call-off contracts awarded under framework agreements including the contracts placed under Multiple Supplier Framework Agreement for Maritime Consultancy Services.

Ministers are carefully considering the outline business case for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme. This is an important issue and an update will be provided once a decision on investment has been taken. This is expected to be taken shortly.

CMAL has met with trade union representatives throughout the design process of the programme, most recently in October 2023.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. Duty holders are expected to deliver a safe environment for all users of non-domestic buildings including hotels. The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that duty holders carry out a fire safety risk assessment of relevant premises to identify any risks to the safety of persons caused by fire, including the risk posed by combustible cladding.

The Scottish Government has produced guidance for those who have responsibility under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 for ensuring fire safety in hotels in Scotland: Fire safety - existing premises with sleeping accommodation: practical guidance - gov.scot ( www.gov.scot )

I refer to previous answers to question S6W-19363 on 7 July 2023 and S6W-23734 on 4 January 2024. Following recent successful recruitment, the core CHFS3 team consists of 13 FTE staff. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

Recent reports of bus service withdrawal have tended to concern commercial routes. The majority of services in Scotland operate in an open de-regulated market and the provision of local bus services is a matter for individual bus operators who use their own commercial judgement on service routes, frequencies and vehicle types.

Under the Transport Act 1985, where there is a social need for particular bus services which are not being provided commercially, local authorities can subsidise these at their discretion. This procedure allows local transport authorities to influence the frequency, routing of services or vehicle types used however this is entirely a matter for the local authority to consider and action.