Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-41134

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 09 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 27 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government which organisations that have contracts with it to provide services are subject to performance-related penalties.

Scottish Government contracts and frameworks which include clauses pertaining to Liquidated Financial Damages, KPIs and/or Service Credits are listed in the following table.

It is not common for contracts to include provisions that set out specific financial consequences for failure to perform as it can be difficult to quantify in advance an expected loss from such a failure. However, standard terms and conditions used when awarding Scottish Government procurement contracts do contain a number of important provisions. This includes provisions whereby, if the contract is terminated - including as a consequence of a material breach by the supplier, then the Scottish Government may deduct any costs incurred to complete the services from any amount due to be paid. If this exceeds amounts already paid, then provisions include that those sums can be recovered.

Additionally, for regulated procurements, the Scottish Government’s standard terms and conditions contain indemnity clauses requiring the supplier to indemnify the public sector body in respect of any loss suffered through that supplier’s negligent or wrongful act, or omission or defect in any goods/services supplied. Regulated contracts are currently those valued at £50k and above. Levels of indemnity are set appropriately and proportionally for each procurement exercise.

I have attached extracts from Scottish Government Terms and Conditions that pertain to repatriations as a result of termination, default and indemnities.

To underpin good practice, the Scottish Government sets out guidance for all public bodies on how to Manage and Improve the Performance of Contracts in the Procurement Journey, a national tool to support consistency of practice across Scotland. This includes appropriate use of KPIs, Service Levels, Incentives and Sanctions where it is proportionate and relevant to do so, for example, in regulated contracts.

Extracts from Standard Scottish Government Terms and Conditions that pertain to Performance Related Damages

26.6 The Service Provider indemnifies the Purchaser and any replacement service provider against all actions, suits, claims, demands, losses, charges, damages, costs and expenses and any other liabilities which the Purchaser or replacement service provider may incur in respect of the emoluments and outgoings referred to in clause 26.5.

52 Indemnity

52.1 The Service Provider shall indemnify the Purchaser against all claims, proceedings, actions, damages, costs, charges, expenses and any other liabilities which may arise out of, or in consequence of, any Default of the Service Provider.

52.2 The Purchaser shall indemnify the Service Provider in respect of all claims, proceedings, actions, damages, fines, costs, expenses or other liabilities which may arise out of, or in consequence of, a breach of the Data Protection Laws where the breach is the direct result of the Service Provider acting in accordance with the Purchaser’s specific written instructions. This indemnity provision shall not apply if the Service Provider-

1.acts on the Purchaser’s specific written instructions but fails to notify the Purchaser in accordance with clause 14.12(c) of this Contract;

2.fails to comply with any other obligation under the Contract.

53. Limitation of Liability

53.1. Neither Party is liable to the other Party under the Contract for any:

53.1.1. loss of profits, business, revenue or goodwill; or

53.1.2. indirect or consequential loss or damage.

53.2. But clause 53.1 does not exclude any liability of the Service Provider for additional operational, administrative costs or expenses or wasted expenditure resulting from the Default of the Service Provider.

53.3. The liability of either Party under the Contract for Defaults is limited to [x].

53.4. But neither Party excludes or limits liability to the other Party for:

53.4.1. death or personal injury caused by its negligence;

53.4.2. misrepresentation;

53.4.3. any breach of any obligations implied by section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 or sections 2 or 11B of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982; or

53.4.4. any breach of any obligations under Data Protection Laws

59. Termination Rights

59.1. The Purchaser may terminate the Contract by notice to the Service Provider with immediate effect if the Service Provider commits a Default and:

59.1.1. the Service Provider has not remedied the Default to the satisfaction of the Purchaser within 20 Working Days, or such other period as may be specified by the Purchaser, after issue of a notice specifying the Default and requesting it to be remedied;

59.1.2. the Default is not in the opinion of the Purchaser, capable of remedy; or

59.1.3. the Default is a material breach of the Contract.

59.2. «F68: The Purchaser may also terminate the Contract in accordance with any provisions of the Schedules.»

59.3. The Purchaser may terminate the Contract in the event that:

(a) the Contract has been subject to substantial modification which would have required a new procurement procedure in accordance with regulation 72(9) (modification of contracts during their term) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015; or

(b) the Service Provider has, at the time of contract award, been in one of the situations referred to in regulation 58(1) (exclusion grounds) of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, including as a result of the application of regulation 58(2) of those regulations, and should therefore have been excluded from the procurement procedure.

59.4. The Purchaser may also terminate the Contract in the event of a failure by the Service Provider to comply in the performance of the Services with legal obligations in the fields of environmental, social or employment law.

59.5. The Purchaser may also terminate the Contract where, at any time before the term of the Contract, the Service Provider or any person falling within the description set out in paragraph (2) of regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 commits an offence referred to in paragraph (1) of that regulation.

60. Termination on Insolvency and Change of Control

60.1. The Service Provider shall notify in writing immediately, and the Purchaser may terminate the Contract with immediate effect by notice, where in respect of the Service Provider:

60.1.1. a proposal is made for a voluntary arrangement within Part I of the Insolvency Act 1986 or of any other composition scheme or arrangement with, or assignation for the benefit of, its creditors;

60.1.2. a shareholders’ meeting is convened for the purpose of considering a resolution that it be wound up or a resolution for its winding-up is passed (other than as part of, and exclusively for the purpose of, a bona fide reconstruction or amalgamation);

60.1.3. a petition is presented for its winding up (which is not dismissed within 14 days of its service) or an application is made for the appointment of a provisional liquidator or a creditors’ meeting is convened pursuant to section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986;

60.1.4. a receiver, administrative receiver or similar officer is appointed over the whole or any part of its business or assets;

60.1.5. an application order is made either for the appointment of an administrator or for an administration order, an administrator is appointed, or notice of intention to appoint an administrator is given;

60.1.6. it is or becomes insolvent within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986;

60.1.7. being a “small company” within the meaning of section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, a moratorium comes into force pursuant to schedule A1 to the Insolvency Act 1986;

60.1.8. a debt relief order is entered into; or

60.1.9. any event similar to those listed above occurs under the law of any other jurisdiction.

60.2. The Purchaser may terminate the Contract by notice with immediate effect within 6 months of:

60.2.1. being notified that a change of Control has occurred in accordance with clause 33.1 (Change of Control); or

60.2.2. where no such notification has been given, the date that the Purchaser becomes aware of the change of control.

60.3. But the Purchaser may not terminate the Contract under clause 60.2 where approval of the change of control has been granted by notice by the Purchaser.

Table 1: Contracts and Frameworks that contain Clauses pertaining to Liquidated Financial Damages, KPIs and Service Credits
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
ICT	HP Inc. UK Limited	Desktop Client Devices	No	Yes	no
	HP Inc. UK Limited	Mobile Client Devices	No	Yes	no
	HP Inc. UK Limited	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	XMA Limited	Web Based and Proprietary Devices	No	Yes	no
	XMA Limited	Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure	No	Yes	no
	XMA Limited	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Softcat Ltd	Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure	No	Yes	no
	Insight Direct (UK) Ltd	Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure	No	Yes	no
	Computacenter (UK) Ltd	Technology Peripherals and Infrastructure	No	Yes	no
	Agilico (Scotland) Limited	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Canon UK	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Epson	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Konica Minolta	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Ricoh	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Workflo Solutions	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
	Xerox	Managed Print Solutions	No	Yes	no
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
NCPD	23 Media Audits	Media Auditor	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Carat	Media Planning and Buying	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Republic Of Media	Media Planning and Buying	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Mediacom Edinburgh	Media Planning and Buying	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	The Media Shop Scotland	Media Planning and Buying	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Spiritmedia Scotland	Media Planning and Buying	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Penna	Recruitment Ads and PINs	No	Yes	No
NCPD	The Leith Agency	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Walk in the Gate Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	The Union Advertising Agency	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Stand Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Story UK lTd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Dentsu Creative ( a trading division of Dentsu UK)	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Union Direct Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Bright Digital Marketing Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	The Lane Agency Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	John Doe Group	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Drummond Central	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Smarts (NI) Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Stripe PR and Communications Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	3x1 Ltd ( known as 3x1 Group)	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Muckle Media	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Jump Research Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Progressive Partnership Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Ipsos (Market Research) Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	BMG Research Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Trinity McQueen Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Northstar Media ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Metro Production Group Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Speakeasy Productions Ltd	Marketing Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	CTM	Travel Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Lyreco	General Office Supplies	No	Yes	No
NCPD	APS Group Scotland	Publishing, Printing, Design and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Barr Printers Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Harlow Printing Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	J Thomson Colour Printers Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Mackay and Inglis Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	MBM Print SCS Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	McAllister Litho Glasgow Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Pandaprint	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Printwell Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Sterling Press Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Sciamed Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Streamline Corporate	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	The Evolve Group (Scotland) Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Winter and Simpson Ltd	Print and Associated Services	No	Yes	Yes
NCPD	Enterprise Rent a Car UK	Vehicle Hire	No	Yes	No
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
Heat in Buildings	Warmworks	Warmer Homes Scotland	No	Yes	Yes
Promoting Children and Families Wellbeing Unit	APS	Scotlands Baby Box	No	Yes	Yes
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
Example -MPIP	IBM	SPM delivery	No	No	Yes
SGPT	University of Strathclyde	Provision of Host Body for the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Santa Fe Relocation Services Limited	Provision of UK International and Domestic Relocation Services	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Ipsos Mori UK	Evaluation of Cancer Care Strategy for Scotland	No	Yes	No
SGLD	Keith Mitchell Law Accountants	Law Accountancy Services	No	Yes	No
Marine	Cammach Bryant Ltd	Temporary Crewing Framework	No	Yes	No
Marine	Intermarine UK Ltd	Temporary Crewing Framework	No	Yes	No
Human Rights	Inspiring Scotland	EHRF & DES Fund Management	No	Yes	No
Education and Justice	Aberlour Child Care Trust	Independent Child Guardians Service	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Big Partnership	CyberScotland Partnership –	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Big Partnership	Marketing and Communications Management and Co-ordination	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Ipsos Market Research Ltd	Scottish Household Survey (SHS)	No	Yes	Yes
SGPT	Sign Solutions	Contact Scotland BSL	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Inspiring Scotland	Autistic Adult Support Fund and Learning Disabilities Support Fund Administrator	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Impact Funding Partners	Bairns Hoose Fund Administrator	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Inspiring Scotland	Outdoor Community Play Fund Administrator	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Scottish Women's Aid	Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline	No	Yes	No
SGPT	IPSOS Market Research	Whole Family Wellbeing Funding Year 3 and 4 Evaluation	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Quality Health Limited	Health And Care Experience Survey 2025-26	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Advice Direct Scotland Ltd	Test and Learn Prevention Pilots	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Grant Thornton UK Advisory & Tax LLP	USA Export Plan	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Energy Savings Trust	Provision of Heat in Buildings Loans and Grants Administration Service	No	Yes	No
SGPT	Energy Savings Trust		No	Yes
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
Example -MPIP	IBM	SPM delivery	No	No	Yes
Utilities	EDF	Supply of Electricity	No	Yes	Yes
Utilities	Total Energies Gas and Power	Supply of Gas	No	Yes	Yes
Utilities	Business Stream	Water and Waste Water Billing Services	No	Yes	Yes
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicators	Service Credits
NCPD	Press Data Ltd	Media Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Access Intelligence Communications Ltd	Media Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	The Royal Bank of Scotland	Banking Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Venesky Brown Recruitment Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Harvey Nash Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Pertemps Recruitment Partnership Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	ASA International Ltd t/a ASA Recruitment	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Lorien Resourcing Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Blue Arrow Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Brightwork Ltd	Temp & Interim Staff Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Harper MacLeod LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Anderson Strathern LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	DWF LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Brodies LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Addleshaw Goddard LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	CMS LLP	Legal Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	National Westminster Bank (Royal Bank of Scotland)	ePurchasing Card (Scotland Excel call off/cluster via CCS Framework)	No	Yes	Annual rebate
NCPD	Global Connections (Scotland) Ltd	Interpreting, Translation & Transcription Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	DA Languages Ltd	Interpreting, Translation & Transcription Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD	Global Language Services Ltd	Interpreting, Translation & Transcription Services	No	Yes	No
NCPD - ICT Networks	Vodafone Ltd	Mobile Voice & Data Services Framework	No	Yes	No
Area	Supplier	Provision	Liquified Financial Damages	Key Performance Indicatiors	Service Credits
MPIP	The Wise Group, People Plus, Start Scotland, Remploy, and Falkirk Council ( 8 contracts)	Fair Start Scotland	No	Yes	Yes

Question reference: S6W-41040

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 07 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held with livestock marts, particularly those specialising in cattle trading, regarding its policy to mandate the use of ultra-high frequency (UHF) cattle electronic identification (EID) tags by 2026.

An industry led EID pilot has directly engaged with 18 auction marts, 14 abattoirs and 425 farms from across Scotland, as well as those across the border. The pilot has concluded its findings with a report published in 2023, highlighting improved Health and Safety as one of the many advantages of ultra-high frequency (UHF) due to reduced animal handling. The Scottish Government also meets regularly with the Bovine EID Industry Stakeholder group, which includes the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS).

Question reference: S6W-40902

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the report, Abattoir Users Survey 2025, that "across England, Wales and the UK overall, the average distance [travelled to the nearest abattoir] fell within the 31-40 mile range" but that, in Scotland, it fell "into the 61-70 mile bracket".

The Scottish Government understands that distance to an abattoir can be a challenge in some places. There are a number of factors at play, including Scotland’s geography, reflected in the fact that Scotland’s population density is 70 per square kilometre and 9.2 in the Highland council area, compared with 395 in England and Wales. Travel from Scotland’s islands to a mainland abattoir is also a consideration. We recognise these challenges which is why our Small Producers Pilot Fund plays a key role in facilitating access to abattoirs across the country and especially in rural and island areas. This has included funding for private kill coordinators to support the efficient transport of livestock, as well as support for groups seeking to undertake feasibility studies. Throughput is of course vital in this regard to ensure that plants are fit for purpose and have a viable future.

Question reference: S6W-40906

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the finding in the report, Abattoir Users Survey 2025, that "58% of respondents believed their business would not be profitable without selling direct to consumers or through local markets".

The Abattoir Users Survey 2025 notes that the direct selling model referenced is heavily dependent on private kill and further processing services offered by small and local abattoirs. The Scottish Government is therefore proud to have committed to continuing support for small abattoirs and producers, through the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF). In 2024-25 this provided almost £300,000 in resource funding for a number of abattoirs engaged in private kill, mainly the facilitation and co-ordination of small producer access to private kill services. This year, we are providing up to £1 million through our SPPF to support Scotland’s small producers, and Ministers remain open to receiving further grant applications.

Question reference: S6W-40903

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding has been (a) allocated to and (b) distributed from the Small Producers Pilot Fund in each year since it was established in December 2023.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producers Pilot Fund (SPPF) received £180,000 in initial funding, followed by £1 million allocated for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.

To date, £581,488 has been distributed: £273,209 in 2023–2024, £274,657.74 in 2024–2025, and £33,621.26 so far in 2025–2026.

This year, we have committed additional allocations including £200,000 for the Practical Training Fund, £500,000 in capital investment, and £55,000 to support the Small Producer Info Hub. Applications have already been received from several abattoirs, with combined value of £236,000, and ministers remain open to further submissions.

Question reference: S6W-40904

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many new small-scale abattoirs have been built as a result of funding from the Small Producers Pilot Fund in each year since it was established in December 2023.

None.

Since its launch in December 2023, the Small Producer Pilot Fund (SPPF) has not provided direct funding for the construction of new small-scale abattoirs. Instead, it is designed to support small producers by offering flexible financial assistance and connections to local food supply chains, abattoirs, and small businesses across Scotland.

The SPPF is a pilot support mechanism co-designed with the Ministerially appointed Small Producer Steering Group. It aims to strengthen local supply chains and improve access to private kill services, by empowering small producers to play a key role in realising our Vision for Agriculture.

Question reference: S6W-40905

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Wednesday, 01 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 22 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many small-scale abattoirs have closed in each year since 2021.

Question reference: S6W-41330

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 21 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government whether the Marine Directorate has any plans to invest in new (a) protection and (b) research vessels, and if so, whether it will provide the details of such plans.

The Marine Directorate is currently undertaking a project to replace the two oldest vessels in its fleet: the Marine Research Vessel (MRV) Scotia and Marine Protection Vessel (MPV) Minna, both of which are approaching the end of their operational service lives.

A procurement Prior Information Notice (PIN) was issued in June 2025 signalling the Scottish Government's intention to initiate a formal procurement process. Further details will be shared as the project develops.

Question reference: S6W-41329

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 17 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many of the Marine Directorate’s (a) protection and (b) research vessels are currently out of service.

The Marine Directorate currently has three Marine Protection Vessels (Hirta, Jura and Minna) in service. None of these large protection vessels are presently out of service, although individual rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs) that support them are subject to routine maintenance and rotation. At present, one RIB (RIB7) is undergoing repair at McKay Marine in Aberdeen, and one other (RIB9) is held in reserve awaiting redeployment.

Of the Marine Research Vessels, Scotia and Alba na Mara are both operational, supported by four smaller survey craft (Dignity, Temora, Kit Kat and Teip Dearg), all of which are in service.

Question reference: S6W-41328

Asked by: Tim Eagle, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 17 October 2025

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) protection and (b) research vessels the Marine Directorate currently owns.

The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government currently owns a total of three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs) — Hirta, Jura and Minna — which form the core of Scotland’s offshore marine protection fleet.

In addition, the Directorate owns nine rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs) assigned to these protection vessels and two inshore RIBs, Ailsa and Iona, which are used within the Inshore Protection Programme.

For scientific and monitoring work, the Directorate owns two Marine Research Vessels (MRVs) — Scotia and Alba na Mara — supported by four smaller research and survey craft: Dignity, Temora, Kit Kat and Teip Dearg.

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