Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 November 2024.
Stuart McMillan
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work at Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow, in light of the announcement of £14 million-worth of investment into the yard earlier this year. (S6O-03978)
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
When I visited Ferguson Marine in July, I signalled the Government’s willingness to back the board’s investment plans, subject to due diligence and provided that they met commercial standards. Ferguson Marine, with the support of my officials, has continued to refine its plans in the intervening period, and the funding needs of the business are part of our current budget planning discussion, the outcome of which will be published on 4 December.
Stuart McMillan
Scottish National Party
I thank the Deputy First Minister for her reply, and I welcome the recent news about the Glen Sannox. She will be very much aware that I regularly speak with the workforce—the workers at the yard—and I know how genuinely talented they actually are.
Will the Deputy First Minister provide an assurance that before the capital investment takes place, and before the announcement on 4 December, the Scottish Government will have discussions with both the shop stewards and the Ferguson Marine board to ensure that there is full support, given that the new machinery and plant is very much needed to help the yards secure future contracts? Will she also provide an update on the appointment of a new permanent chief executive at the yard?
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
In the week that Glen Sannox achieved full regulatory approval, I start by paying fulsome tribute to the workers and their representatives at Ferguson Marine, including the shop stewards, whom I have had the privilege of meeting on a number of occasions. Their skills and expertise are at the core of the business. I know that it has been an extremely difficult time, but I want to see the workers and shop stewards continue to play a key role in driving the business forward.
I will meet the chair and two members of the Ferguson Marine board tomorrow to discuss the matters that Mr McMillan raises and others. Once a permanent chief executive appointment has been made, the chair will make that public. I am willing to engage with the workers at the yard again, as Mr McMillan has requested.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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