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Since I last updated the member in July, my officials have met with Healthcare Improvement Scotland to discuss this important issue.

Further engagement is now needed to consider the most appropriate next steps and we hope to be in a position to update Parliament in the near future. I will respond directly to the member when we have further information to share.

The Scottish Government has not undertaken an assessment of catamaran vessels in the past year. Any such assessments have been undertaken by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) supported by independent naval architectural consultancy.

As was widely reported at the time, CMAL gave detailed consideration to the opportunity to purchase a catamaran already under construction. This was not pursued primarily due to concerns that the vessel would not meet regulatory requirements for service on the Clyde and Hebrides services, a decision endorsed by the Scottish Government.

The former First Minister, Alex Salmond, met with Hinduja Global Solutions on 12 October 2010 in New Delhi and the Deputy First Minister met with the company in Bangalore on 28 November 2018.

On 9 February 2016, the former Minister for Youth and Women's Employment, Annabelle Ewing MSP, visited the company’s Selkirk office; the former Minister for Business Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn MSP visited the Selkirk office on 18 October 2018; and the Deputy First Minister visited the Selkirk office on 12 February 2019.

The First Minister met with Hinduja Global Solutions at the City of London Corporation and Scotland Finance and Investment Partnership Dinner held at Mansion House in London on 19 April 2022.

South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the Scottish Government’s dedicated economic agency for the South of Scotland, has had the most recent discussions with Hinduja Global Solutions about its fair work practices, including wages and terms and conditions. These discussions formed part of the work to secure a SOSE grant to support the creation of up to 250 jobs.

SOSE advised in discussions with Hinduja Global Solutions that organisations supported through grant funding would be committing to adopting Fair Work First in the delivery of projects which are funded by SOSE. The terms of grant award included such reference of committing to working on becoming a Fair Work employer, plus working towards achieving the Fair Work First criteria including:

• appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition.
• investment in workforce development.
• no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.
• action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
• payment of the real Living Wage.
• offering flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of their employment; and
• opposing the use of fire and rehire practices.

Hinduja Global Solutions is also required to work with SOSE, Skills Development Scotland, education and training organisations and/or institutions to recruit “disadvantaged workers” and long-term youth unemployed, and from areas of multiple deprivation.

Prior to the formation of SOSE, Scottish Enterprise (SE) worked with Hinduja Global Solutions to support new inward investment opportunities, and as with all companies it works with, SE encouraged progressive working practices in its discussions with the company.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) emits approximately 20% less carbon than Marine Gas Oil (MGO - the conventional fuel used for ferries), so provides an opportunity for emission reductions in the medium term.

The Scottish Government has supported the various phases of the HySeas project which is developing a concept design for a hydrogen fuelled vessel that could operate in Scotland. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) has been a partner in the HySeas III consortium and. both Transport Scotland and CMAL continue to monitor developments and opportunities in this field.

We continue to take forward a range of actions in schools, including the Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme, which tackles gender stereotyping and attitudes that condone violence against women and girls; and piloting a whole school approach to tackling gender-based violence with Rape Crisis Scotland and Zero Tolerance.

The Gender-Based Violence in Schools Working Group is developing a national framework document for schools to help tackle sexual harassment and gender-based violence. This will set out the practical prevention and intervention measures that can be used to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of children and young people. This work is expected to be completed in 2023.

The Scottish Government is aware of the study published by the University college London on LNG capable ships and of its main conclusions. There is considerable research being carried out into the viability of various future marine fuels and vessel technologies and the Scottish Government, as a global leader on wider climate change policy and actions and as an owner and operator of vessels, is maintaining a close view on developments.

We are aiming for the Government-owned ferry fleet to make the strongest possible contribution towards achieving our target of a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy by 2045.

Transport Scotland liaises closely with Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) and other partners regarding future vessel projects. These discussions include appropriate consideration of design and operating options, including alternative fuels. As part of our work on the Islands Connectivity Plan, we will consult on pathways to zero/low-emission ferry transport, learning from experience in other countries.