Scottish Government Silence on European Ferry Tendering Correspondence

17th September 2015

Highlands and Islands MSP, David Stewart the (Scottish Labour) Shadow Spokesperson for Transport is questioning why the Scottish Government are avoiding the publication of correspondence regarding ferry tendering and the EU.

In a reply to a written Parliamentary Question from Mr Stewart, asking if Ministers would publish correspondence between the European Commission and Parliament since May 2011 regarding the tendering of contracts for passenger and freight ferry services and EU regulations, the Scottish Government stated that they have no "no current plans to publish this correspondence." Mr Stewart is now set to write to the Scottish Government Transport Minister, explicitly asking for this correspondence to be published.

Commenting David Stewart MSP said:“I have consistently argued that the Scottish Government should have made a stronger case to the European Commission seeking to extend lifeline subsidised ferry services away from the ferry tendering process. I asked if the Scottish Government would publish correspondence with the European Commission and the Parliament about the tendering for ferry contracts since 2011, to be told they have no plans to do so.

“The Scottish Government could, and should have explored the Teckal exemption which would have allowed the Scottish Government to avoid the current procurement exercise. Yet the Scottish Government, according to my recent parliamentary questions appear to have never specifically raised this exemption with the European Commission. I think we should know exactly what they have disused over recent years with the European Commission and Parliament regarding ferry tendering.

“Cal Mac is publically owned and managed and presents the best option for the workforce, passengers and the tax payer. The Scottish Government should have been taking every measure to ensure our services don't fall into the hands of the private sector.”