Ferguson Marine - Scottish Government correspondence relating to plans to market: FOI release

Information requested

1. How much is the Scottish Government expecting to market Ferguson Marine for when it aims to sell it and will it recoup the costs of keeping it afloat? - All correspondence between the Scottish Government/Transport Scotland and Ferguson Marine about this.
2. Did Transport Scotland approach anyone else for quotes/timescales to build a new boat to replace Hull 802 before Neil Gray decided to step in with a ministerial directive?
3. Has the Scottish Government/Transport Scotland used a ministerial directive to award boat-building contracts before? If so, when?
4. All correspondence between Transport Scotland, Scottish Government, CalMac and CMAL about the ministerial directive made by Neil Gray about Hull 802 earlier this month.

Response

1. Any valuation of Ferguson Marine will depend upon the timing and circumstances of any return to the private sector. We are committed to securing a sustainable future for the yard and any deal would need to work for the yard’s employees and the taxpayer. There is no correspondence between the Scottish Government/Transport Scotland and Ferguson Marine on this matter I am therefore issuing a formal notice under section 17(1) stating the Scottish Government does not hold the information that falls within scope of your request.
2. Transport Scotland did not approach anyone else for a specific quotation / timescales to build a new boat to replace Hull 802 however, the Scottish Government did draw on industry knowledge and recent procurement experience.
3. The Scottish Government or Transport Scotland has not used a ministerial directive to award boat-building contracts in the past.
4. There has been no correspondence between all four parties about the ministerial directive made by Neil Gray about Hull 802 earlier this month. I am therefore issuing a formal notice under section 17(1) stating the Scottish Government does not hold the information that falls within scope of your request.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.