The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is due to appear on 4 November before a Holyrood committee investigating the procurement of two over-budget and delayed ferries from a Clydeside shipyard, the committee has said.
Last month the First Minister was called to give evidence before the Public Audit Committee – a request she promptly accepted saying she was “very willing” to appear.
The committee at Holyrood will be looking into the procurement and construction of the Glen Sannox and as-yet-unnamed second newbuild's hull (No.802). The twin duel-fuel powered ferries are set to cost three times more than initially planned and be delivered more than five years later than planned.
The ferries, being built at Ferguson Marine, the Government-owned shipyard in Port Glasgow, have been the subject of much controversy in recent years, revolving around why the contract was awarded to the Clydeside shipyard which said it could not provide the vital builders refund guarantee that would protect the Government’s investment.
Further reading reports The National on the Scottish shipyard which is building the ferries to serve on CalMac routes.
