PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR TEXT COVERAGE OF THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ON 14 JUNE 2016
MSPs hold a minute's silence for the victims of the Orlando gun attack
Topical questions features questions on hate crimes and concerns over privacy
The Scottish government gives a statement on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2014 as Scotland surpasses its target for the first time
It then leads a debate on Scotland’s colleges and universities
Finally Labour MSP Iain Gray leads a member’s debate on protesting against the proposed closure of the RBS branch in Prestonpans
Conservative MSP Ross Thomson stresses the importance of colleges and universities but he says they are facing a changing landscape.
Mr Thomson says they are facing major grant reductions from the SNP.
He says colleges are saying the current funding settlement is unsustainable.
The Tory MSP says a number of colleges are in operational deficit.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon says "not everyone has a bank of mum and dad behind them".
Ms Lennon says transport and accommodation costs are a huge barrier to tertiary education.
She says University College Union Scotland have said it is difficult for staff at the moment as they are bearing the brunt of the cuts.
The Labour MSP says number of students from poorer backgrounds has decreased and she calls for a review of student support in tertiary education.
SNP MSP Tom Arthur praises Scotland's tertiary educatiion institutions who provide courses based on "the ability to learn not on the ability to pay".
Mr Arthur says there is no mention of tuition fees in the Tory amendment unlike their manifesto.
Liz Smith tries to intervene, but Mr Arthur says he does not have time, despite Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame saying he has an extra minute.
He ploughs on to quote Jefferson, Carl Sagan and Orwell and says all our educational institutions must defend free inquiry.
Mr Arthur concludes saying our colleges and universities are "formidable ambassadors".
Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton says it is important part time courses are kept for rural communities.
Ms Hamilton says in East Lothian workers do not have the skills that employers require and she says colleges could deliver learning directly relevant to get a job, as recommended by SIr Iain Wood, external.
The Tory MSP says colleges are key to economic growth and she says the SNP have damaged future generations through their college cuts.
Green MSP Ross Greer says the question during this parliament is whether higher education institutions will be given financial support for students and staff.
Mr Greer says the funding support system is currently based on a fixed amount rather than the needs of students and that this should be "entitlement based".
The Green MSP says students should be treated in the same way whether they attend college or university.
Mr Greer says his party is against tuition fees.
He says he left his university course after a job offer he "could not refuse".
In December 2012 Mr Greer left university to work for Yes Scotland as their Communities Coordinator during the Scottish independence referendum, 2014.
Mr Greer thanks Further Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville who offered him the job.
Labour MSP Daniel Johnson says if the future economy is going to be knowledge based then higher education will play a crucial role.
Mr Johnson says colleges must be resourced properly in order to provide people with the skills necessary to fill jobs and prepare the future workforce for advancements in technology.
SNP MSP George Adam takes an intervention from Tory MSP Liam Kerr, who says colleges will find it difficult to maintain success in the face of "the cuts the government found so amusing".
Mr Adam replies: "I know the member is new, but gonnae chuck it when you've already had a slap in the face earlier on from my colleague.
George Adam uses less than parliamentary language
Intriguing parliamentary language there from Mr Adam.
He says the Tories have a cheek talking about cuts.
Conservative MSP Jamie Green says he fears that funding for student support in Scotland is struggling to keep up with demand.
Mr Green expresses further concern about bursary spend.
He says it is important that there is a proper debate on higher education graduate contribution.
Mr Green says the money raised would and should be used to help poor students.
SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth says the government is committed to higher education which offers a level playing field.
Ms Gilruth says the government do not agree with the Tory plans to charge university fees.
The SNP MSP says every child, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Conservative MSP Liam Kerr intervenes to say Ms Gilruth has talked a lot about widening access but not about how to reverse the cuts.
Ms Giruth responds by saying "from the Tory benches. You really couldn't make it up".
Mr Gray calls for the cuts to grants to restored by the Scottish government.
The Labour MSP says there needs to be properly funded universities and colleges.
The Labour MSP says we must use the powers of this parliament to stop the cuts to education.
Mr Gray points to the university access gap and the recent Sutton Trust findings.
He says those from poorer families that do go to university are more likely to drop out.
Mr Gray says there have been cuts to university funding as well.
He say University of Edinburgh are on strike and Glasgow University will follow suit.
Labour MSP Iain Gray says the University of Edinburgh is on strike
This is because staff are being asked, in part, to pay the price of budget cuts he says.
The Labour MSP says colleges have also gone on strike.
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray starts by agreeing wholeheartedly with the minister on the importance of universities and colleges.
Mr Gray says they make an "enormous contribution to present day Scotland".
He says education budgets have been cut by 10% over recent years with colleges the hardest hit.
Young Scots from disadvantaged areas are four times less likely to go to university than those from wealthy backgrounds, researchers said last month.
Their study showed 90% of growth in higher education places for disadvantaged students came from colleges, not universities.
Image source, SPLThe Sutton Trust said its findings showed a "shocking access gap".
The Scottish government said university access for students from poorer areas was up by 29% since it came to power.
In England, those from the poorest neighbourhoods are 2.4 times less likely to attend university than people in the richest areas.
Those in Northern Ireland and Wales are three times less likely to do so.
Here's Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray's amendment.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentMs Smith calls for the Scottish government to answer the big questions about the funding of tertiary education.
Ms Smith asks if access to universities will achieved by finding more places.
The Tory MSP says the pressure is on to find more spaces and she asks how the SNP will fund the widening access project.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Liz Smith says universities want to be able to get on with their work devoid of government influence.
Ms Smith says in the past year colleges and universities have felt pressurised by the Scottish government.
Here's Scottish Conservative education spokesman Liz Smith's amendment.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentThe minister says there have been improvements in bursaries under the SNP.
Ms Somerville says there is a record level of support at colleges as well.
She says the maximum higher education bursary has been increased.
Labour MSP Iain Gray says that was a small increase on a bursary that had been slashed by 40% by her own government.
Ms Somerville says Labour has not got a grip on reality about the tough economic conditions the government is facing.