That ends Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 8 December 2015.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

We'll be back with the Economy Committee, as it looks at renewables, from 10am tomorrow. 

Local Government Minister Marco Biagi says there is no doubt this is a crucial issue to Aberdeen.

Image source, bbc

The SNP MSP says local democracy matters and makes councils accountable.

Mr Biagi says the Scottish government believe in local decision making. 

Scottish Labour MSP Richard Baker says there is a consensus that Aberdeen city centre must improve.

Mr Baker says Aberdeen City Council are committed to this improvement. 

The Labour MSP says there are those that are behind the Marischal Square development. 

The technical fault has been resolved and we can continue the coverage of the member's debate on Marischal Square.

As we are unable to resolve the technical fault at this time, could we re-direct you to the Scottish Parliament's coverage, external of this debate.

We apologise for the temporary loss of video.

We are working to resolve the issue

Mr Stewart says, in answer to a freedom of information request by campaigners dated 9 November 2015 asking for a copy of the business plan for Marischal Square, the council stated that "there is no business plan at this time". 

The SNP MSP is concerned that there seems to be no business plan for a complex financial deal, and says that many Aberdonians feel that their voices have been ignored on this issue.   

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart says the Reject Marischal Square Development campaign group (RMSD), have published a report on a lack of openness and transparency regarding Aberdeen City Council's Marischal Square deal. 

MSPs unanimously pass the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the changes brought about by the Criminal Justice Bill will require explanation and education in the media.

Mr Matheson says the imprisonment of parents is a very important issue.

He says one of the main challenges for Scotland is to face up to the fact that we have the second highest prison population per head in Western Europe.

Scotland as a country have failed to take a much more progressive view of preventing crime in the first place. 

Scottish Labour MSP Elaine Murray says her party will back the bill at decision time

Dr Murray says the issue of abolishing corroboration will not go away and will need extensive scrutiny when it comes up again.  

She says making a prisoner aware of the impact their crime had on a child is very important.

There are lessons to be learned from the passage of this bill, says the Labour MSP.

Scottish Conservative MSP Gavin Brown says the large parts of the bill has gone through unchanged and with the vast majority of members agreeing to. 

Image source, bbc

Mr Brown says the the government can be criticised for their behaviour at the time when removing corroboration was still in the bill.

The Tory MSP congratulates the new  justice secretary for dropping the measure. 

Independent MSP John Finnie says he is pleased a code of practice has been put in place and he welcomes the consultation on that.

Mr Finnie says there remains uncertainty among police officers about consensual non-statutory stop and search powers.

Image source, bbc

He says there always were common law powers and perhaps this is the way ahead.

The former senior policeman says police officers are the front line defenders of the public's human rights. 

SNP MSP Alex Salmond insists Kenny MacAskill was a fine justice secretary.

The former first minister says the parliament will have to address the issue of corroboration.

Mr Salmond congratulates new Justice Secretary for marshalling the bill to this point of near success.

The SNP MSP says the scandal was the level of knife crime in Scotland, not the level of stop and search in Scotland.

He welcomes the "spectacular reduction" in knife crimes. 

Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes says 64 MSPs were happy to go along with former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill on removing corroboration.

Finally, however the minister agreed to put the bill on ice and Lord Bonomy vindicated opposition to the removal of corroboration and the new justice minister dropped the proposal.

"What a difference a year makes." She says.

The Criminal Justice Bill can now recieve cross party support at decision time. 

Ms McInnes says Scottish Lib Dems will support the Criminal Justice Bill at decision time. 

SNP MSP Christine Grahame says she is personally delighted that the proposal to abolish corroboration was removed.

Ms Grahame says that it is a pity Mr Findlay is not at the debate to hear that as he accused her earlier of falling to the party whip.

The SNP MSP tells Mr Findlay to "put that in your pipe and smoke it". 

Ms Fee says promoting positive family engagements is essential in the criminal justice system.

Image source, bbc

The Labour MSP says she will be happy to work with the Scottish government to make sure her amendments work and we get it right for every child (GIRFEC).

She says she hopes now, children will no longer be the forgotten victims of crime. 

Labour MSP Mary Fee reiterates her thanks to Barnardo's Scotland for helping her bring about a substantial change in the support of children in families affected by imprisonment.

Ms Fee says the amendments that were passed were a turning point for these children.

The amendments are a step to stop children of prisoners going on to offend, she says. 

SNP MSP Rod Campbell says this debate would not be complete without the C-word, "corroboration".

  He says this is now a conundrum for the next parliament.