Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has expressed “surprise and disappointment” after Finance Secretary Kate Forbes failed to confirm that any recent meaningful changes in public procurement rules had taken place, following the ongoing fiasco with ferry procurement.
Mr Halcro Johnston questioned the SNP minister earlier today at Portfolio Questions in the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Conservative MSP said: “Kate Forbes had plenty of advance notice about my question and I am, frankly, amazed that she had absolutely nothing concrete to say in her responses to my questions. Surely, there must be some lessons to be learnt from a situation that has left the delivery of vital ferries several years late and tens of millions of pounds of over-budget?"
“And, surely, we could have expected some signs of the Government urgently addressing the shortcomings, and putting them right? Instead, all we heard were some bland meaningless phrases and not a hint to suggest any real action was going to happen anytime soon."
“Island communities deserve far better than this and, I am sure, will share my surprise and disappointment at such an unsatisfactory response, especially from a minister who, like me, represents island communities.”
Jamie Halcro Johnston’s exchange with Kate Forbes can be viewed here (from 14:41:10): https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-november-10-2021
The text of his initial question is provided for information:
Jamie Halcro Johnston S6O-00352 8. To ask the Scottish Government what recent changes it has made to its public procurement policies, including as a result of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee report on its inquiry into construction and procurement of ferry vessels in Scotland.
