Labour MSP Mary Fee speaks to her amendments calling for support of prisoners' children.

Ms Fee says amendment 88 would ensure that all individuals sent to custody are asked if they have children.

There will be a presumption that having a parent in prison leads to a concern for the child.

Her other amendments relate to the collection of data to help support children with parents in prison. 

Charities have called on MSPs to do the right thing for children and young people affected by parental imprisonment. 

Barnardo's Scotland, external, Families Outside, external and NSPCC Scotland, external call on MSPs to support amendments to the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill If the amendments are upheld it will ensure the needs of children and young people who are affected by parental imprisonment are recognised - currently there is no mechanism for gathering data on this vulnerable group. 

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The charities have written to all MSPs asking them to support the amendment, lodged by Labour MSP Mary Fee. 

The amendment will ensure there is a legal requirement for children of prisoners to be identified and subsequent support provided. 

The amendment will also ensure there are strong links between the child wellbeing provisions in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the needs of children affected by parental imprisonment.

MSPs now move to amendments relating to children affected by parental imprisonment 87, 88, 89.

MSPs reject the Lib Dem amendment calling for an increase in the age of criminal responsibility from eight years old to 12.

40 voted to back it, 75 MSPs voted against. 

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford asks has the assessment of the implications of changing the age of criminal responsibility been made.

He says that would help him to make up his mind.

The chamber hears chuckles from many MSPs and Ms McInnes laughs.

Does she believe the SNP MSP may have already made up his mind?

Ms McInnes says does the minister really believe he will come back with an age of criminal responsibility lower than 12 years old.

The minister insists MSPs should wait for the independent advisory group to report. 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the government is open to a future change in the age of criminal responsibility.

Mr Matheson says the Lib Dem amendment does not address violent or sexual crimes.

He says the group reviewing the age of criminal responsibility will meet next week and he awaits an update from them.

The minister says no change should be made without the implications of the change being taken into account. 

Justice Committee convener Christine Grahame says she was against this amendment as there was not enough evidence to support it at this time.

Labour MSP Elaine Murray says she cannot understand why the age limit has not been raised to 12 years old already. 

Ms Murray says she backs the amendment from Alison McInnes.

Independent MSP John Finnie lends his support to the amendment as well. 

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says Christine Grahame expresses sympathy and then slavishly does what the government says. 

Lib Dem MSP Alison McInnes says her amendment calls for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised from eight to 12 years old.

Ms McInnes says Scotland has the lowest age of criminal responsibility in Europe and has as a result seen its reputation tarnished.

She says the fact the age remains at eight should embarrass and shame us. 

The Lib Dem MSP urges the minister to accept her amendment to raise the age to 12 years old, within 18 months of the passing of the bill.

MSPs will now debate amendments pertaining to the age of criminal responsibility.

We move to a small group of one amendment, pertaining to questioning following arrest.

Mr Matheson calls for the backing of his minor, consequential and drafting amendments. 

The justice secretary speaks to amendments on the rank and independence of constable required to take certain decisions.

These are duly passed unanimously.  

Labour MSP Elaine Murray speaks to her amendment 39 relating to investigative liberation.

The minister says he will support the amendment.  

Ms McInnes says the Human Rights Commissioner and Children and Young People Commissioner back her amendments and she is disappointed the minister has not listened to them. 

MSPs vote against the Lib Dem amendments.

Scottish Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell says she supports the government amendment on the extension of custody time to 24 hours. 

Mr Matheson says he is firmly of the view his amendment 36 provides an appropriate balance, but will allow the extension of the period of custody a child is held without charge very occasionally.

Labour MSP Elaine Murray says she disagrees with Alison McInnes about extending the limit to 24 hours.

Ms Murray says as the police had told her there were occasions where a young person or vulnerable person may have to be kept in custody for 24 hours, she supports the government amendment.

The minister says 24 hours as a limit for detention is low compared to some countries but he is satisfied that it will provide the time need to investigate crimes. 

Mr Matheson says there are other measures in the bill which protect the rights of children and vulnerable people.

The justice secretary says the vast majority of children and young people will be released from detention within six hours.

However serious offences carried out by children and young people require just as much time to investigate as anyone else's crime.

Mr Matheson says the government is clear that the rights of children and young people are protected, but setting a low limit for them could leave the public at risk.

He says his amendment 36 provides more protection for children.   

Ms Mcinnes says her amendments 3 and 4 would ensure children or vulnerable people could not be kept for a further 12 hours.

The Criminal Justice Bill deals with the length of time police can hold a suspect for questioning without charging them.

It will allow a police officer of the rank of inspector or above to authorise a 12-hour extension to the initial 12-hour time limit - effectively allowing the police to hold a suspect in custody for up to 24 hours without charge.

The additional 12-hour extension period would be subject to a formal requirement on the police to review continued custody beyond the first six hours.