Mr Harvie says the bill asks for people to engage with the complexity of the subject.

He says care must be taken that dangerous drugs do not fall into the wrong hands.

The Green MSP says some people accept the bill if it only applies to terminally ill people, but he does not agree with that.

Mr Harvie cites a number of examples of improvements including better recording and reporting of information and clarity for definitions.

Mr Harvie says most bills can be improved and that is true of this one.

The Green MSP says he hopes that all members that understand the basic principle that human beings have the right to make a decision on the end life.

He says he thinks the case has been made during the deliberation on this bill that a change in the law is justified and he hopes the bill's general principles are agreed to so the bill can be further improved.

Scottish Green MSP, Patrick Harvie is leading the debate on the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill, he opens by saying: "I could hardly fail to notice that this was not supposed to be me."

Mr Harvie goes on to reference the efforts of the late Margo MacDonald, adding that this is not a bill that he drafted, but one produced by his former colleague.

Mr Harvie says he recognises how inherently complex an issue that assisted suicide is.

Image source, SPL

The main measures in the bill include:

• Only those who are terminally ill or who are suffering from deteriorating progressive conditions which make life intolerable can seek assisted suicide.

• An "early warning" aspect, whereby anyone over the age of 16 can inform their GP of their support in principle for assisted suicide.

• The indication can be noted in the person's medical records, but must be stated at least seven days before they can formally request help to end their life.

• Any requests to GPs must be backed up by a second professional opinion, and followed by a 14-day "cooling off" period.

• The process is then repeated again with a second request, after which one of the doctors concerned supplies a licensed facilitator with a prescription to enable assisted suicide to take place.

• The facilitator, or "friend at the end", has no relationship with the patient and is given the task of collecting the prescription and agreeing the process of assisted suicide.

• If the prescription is not used within 14 days, it must be returned to the chemist.

The Assisted Suicide Bill, external is backed by Green MSP Patrick Harvie on behalf of former independent MSP Margo MacDonald who died last year.

Mr Harvie MSP has said there is "substantial public support" for the principle of assisted suicide.

Margo MacDonald launched the bill before her death last year

Campaigners who back plans to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland have produced a video aimed at tackling "misconceptions and misunderstandings" of the proposals.

The legislation would allow those with terminal or life-shortening illnesses to get help in ending their suffering.

The video has been produced by the My Life, My Death, My Choice campaign, external.

MSPs are debating the Assisted Suicide Bill, external, before voting on its general principles at 6pm.

In February of this year, the Scottish government awarded £14.3m to Wave Energy Scotland to "kick start" the new marine energy body.

It was set up in November last year to speed up development and encourage private investment in the industry.

Image source, Pelamis

The move followed the collapse of wave power technology firm Pelamis, which called in administrators after failing to secure development funding.

Scottish Renewables welcomed the announcement, which it said came at a "challenging time" for the sector.

The first contract will be awarded to a group of 12 former Pelamis employees, led by the company's former chief executive.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks the Scottish government what discussions it has had with Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding whether Wave Energy Scotland should be located in Orkney.

SNP MSP Christian Allard: What is being done to ensure that North East Scotland has a diverse economy?

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Claire Baker asks the Scottish government how it is supporting the economy of Levenmouth in Fife.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan asks the Scottish Government what it is doing to assist the economy in the West of Scotland.

MSPs will shortly begin debating the Assisted Suicide Bill, external, before voting on its general principles for the first time.

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack asks the Scottish government what discussions it has had with stakeholders regarding boosting the economy of Edinburgh and the south east of Scotland.

Image source, Getty Images

SNP MSP Colin Keir asks the Scottish government what issues it needs to address in light of the devolution of additional tax-raising powers.

Labour MSP Ken Macintosh asks the Scottish government what Mr Swinney's position is on reclassifying Scottish Futures Trust debt as public borrowing and how much he expects the total to be.

David Cameron said he would "look at" any proposals for further powers for Scotland but wants to get the Smith Commission plans implemented first.

The prime minister was speaking after meeting Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh on 15 May.

Mr Cameron said he made a "commitment" to include a devolution bill in the Queen's Speech.

Ms Sturgeon argued the Smith Commission proposals were "a good starting point" but did not go far enough.

Conservative MSP Annabel Goldie asks whether the government has a timescale for the procurement of evidence and engagement in civic consultation in relation to the further powers it is seeking in addition to the Smith Commission proposals.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney says on the 15th of May the prime minister agreed to look at further proposals beyond the Smith Commission.

SNP MSP Bill Kidd ask whether the Scottish government will provide an update on its proposals for a widening of the powers suggested by the Smith Commission.