Accountability arrangement relating to particular public bodies: FOI release

Information requested

1. Will you please advise me of which department is accountable for the financial control and performance of any nationalised industry, including Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited (FMEL)? How can I access any relevant information relating thereto?

2. To whom is Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)accountable? Under which ministry is its control held/exercised? To which does it report?

3. To whom is David MacBrayne Limited (DML) accountable? Under which ministry is its control held/exercised? To which does it report?

4. To whom is Calmac Ferries Limited accountable? Under which ministry is its control held/exercised? To which does it report?

5. Does Transport Scotland report directly to a Minister and, if so, which one? If it is Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, how does it interact with Energy, Connectivity and Islands in relation to its dealings with any of the Caledonian MacBrayne related enterprises?

Response

1. I can confirm that nationalised companies are the responsibility of the relevant portfolio Cabinet Minister or Minister and their department. Ferguson Marine is the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop MSP and supported by personnel within the Director General Economy department. Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Holdings Limited will file its financial statements with Companies House in accordance with Companies Act requirements.

2, 3 &4. David MacBrayne Ltd, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and CalMac Ferries Ltd are part of the lifeline ferry services portfolio and therefore the responsibility of the Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands, Paul Wheelhouse MSP. These bodies are supported by Transport Scotland personnel in the Director General Economy department.

5. Transport Scotland reports directly to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP. However, as noted above, it is Paul Wheelhouse MSP, who is the Minister with responsibility for lifeline ferry services in Scotland.

It is also worth noting that Scottish Ministers have already committed to a review of the current legal structures and governance arrangements around the provision of lifeline ferry services in Scotland. The purpose of this project is to reflect on whether the governance arrangements between the tripartite bodies (TS, CMAL and DML) remain fit for purpose having regard to the overarching objective of effective, efficient and economic delivery of lifeline ferry services. The project is due to commence in Spring 2021 and it is our intention that interim findings and recommendations will be delivered in late 2021, informing work for the remaining part of 2021 and 2022.

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