That concludes general questions.

The next item of business is First Minister's questions.

And at question number one, I call Russell Finley.

Thank you, President.

Scotland should be able to build ferries here in Scotland to serve the islands of Scotland

to carry the people of Scotland.

So why will seven new Kalmak vessels instead be built in Poland?

First Minister.

For the simple reason that there has been a competitive tendering process undertaken to make sure that we can deliver seven new vessels for some of the smaller routes that are part of the Carmack network.

That process has been undertaken involving companies in Scotland and in other countries

consistent with the terms of the procurement legislation that the Government must follow.

Russell Finley.

These vessels could and indeed should have been built here in Scotland.

Ferguson Marine could and should be fit to win these contracts.

Because for decades before the SMP had anything to do with it, Ferguson built ferries on budget and on time.

But now under the direct control of John Swinney's government, they're unable to compete.

So will he tell us, frankly, who is responsible for that?

First Minister.

The Scottish Government intervened when there was a risk that Ferguson would cease trading on the Clyde,

and we arranged for new ownership to take forward the future of the yard.

The Government has subsequently taken decisions which have led to significant orders being placed

with Ferguson's through a due competitive process in the past and we have just

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