Good morning. Our first item of business is general question time. In order to get in as many members as possible, I would appreciate short and succinct questions and responses.

1. To ask the Scottish Government, other than the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, what mechanisms exist to support the Crown Office and...

2. To ask the Scottish Government how it is working with North Lanarkshire Council to improve the school estate. (S6O-03207)

4. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has for any major rail development projects beyond the end of 2024. (S6O-03209)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that Scotland’s further education sector is aligned with the needs of businesses within the renewables sector and other...

7. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve the accessibility for disabled people of train stations in Dumfries and Galloway. (S6O-03212)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the creation of a national online support platform to expand music learning for children and young people in Scotland. (S6O-03213)

1. This week marked the start of Ramadan for Scotland’s Muslim community. I am sure that all members will join me in wishing everyone who is observing Ramadan peace and happiness. For...

2. I join others in wishing Muslims here and around the world Ramadan Mubarak. Ramadan is a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, of reflection on those who are less fortunate and of charity....

3. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s response is to the current 40 Days for Life protests. (S6F-02931)

5. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government will take in response to reported statistics showing that nearly one in five probationary teachers left the teacher induction...

6. To ask the First Minister what urgent action is being taken to address long waits in A and E departments, in light of reports that over 7,300 patients waited for more than a day in 2023, with...

Parliament will be aware of the concerning fire on Breadalbane Street in my constituency, where combustible cladding may have been a factor. Does the First Minister share my empathy for everyone...

It is two years since we lost our friend and colleague David Hill while he was playing for the Parliament rugby team in Dublin. His parents, Sharon and Roger, have been an inspiration....

Tomorrow, the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport board is set to approve bus franchising as part of its regional bus strategy, but the Scottish Government has cut SPT’s capital budget...

Does the First Minister share my extreme disappointment that Scotland will not be included in the United Kingdom Government’s Horizon legislation, which was announced this week? Can he...

I recently met a constituent of mine in Glasgow called Michaela Holla, who told me about the serious concern that she has for her autistic and non-verbal son, Logan. At five years old, he is due...

March is brain tumour awareness month. I thank the First Minister for agreeing to join in the Brain Tumour Research “Wear a hat” day photo call immediately after First...

The visitors in the public gallery are all very welcome. If you are leaving, please do so quickly and quietly, because we are about to go on to our next item of business. Thank you very much for...

Good afternoon. The first item of business is portfolio questions, and the portfolio on this occasion is social justice. Members who wish to ask a supplementary question should press their...

1. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote the uptake of the Scottish child payment. (S6O-03198)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to bring empty properties back into use for housing. (S6O-03199)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has undertaken regarding the incorporation of the definition of deafblindness into the work of Social Security Scotland. (S6O-03200)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce social housing waiting lists for disabled people. (S6O-03202)

7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans to tackle social isolation and loneliness. (S6O-03204)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to comments made by the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, which described Scotland as being “in the midst of a housing...

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-12468, in the name of Collette Stevenson, on behalf of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, on addressing child poverty through...

The next item of business is consideration of motion S6M-12479, in the name of Angela Constance, on the legislative consent motion on the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill, which is United...

There are two questions to be put as a result of today’s business. The first question is, that motion S6M-12468, in the name of Collette Stevenson, on behalf of the Social Justice and...