Jamie McIvor
BBC Scotland education correspondent

Aberdeen is not the only part of Scotland to warn of difficulties recruiting teachers.

Other parts of the north east, Highlands and Islands and rural areas, including Dumfries and Galloway, have found difficulty filling posts.

The problems and issues are not simple and straightforward.

Nationally, there is an agreed number of places available in teacher training. The funding deal between councils and the Scottish government commits councils to maintaining teacher numbers.

SNP MSP Richard Lochead asks what action the government is taking to encourage people to take up teaching posts in the Moray area.  

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh, fresh from promoting the Festival of Politics, will keep an eye on this afternoon's proceedings in the parliament.

Image source, Scottish Parliament/Andrew Cowan

Education secretary John Swinney will have to hot foot it from a major summit on education reform in Edinburgh to be in the hot seat for this afternoon's portfolio questons.

Its been a busy day for Mr Swinney who has asked Scotland's teaching unions to suggest ways to reduce workloads.

In a letter to union leaders, he asked them to identify "specific, tangible ideas" to support his aim by the end of the week.

Image source, PA

The summit hosted by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has announced additional support for headteachers.

This will include providing extra training for both new and experienced headteachers, and an "international exchange programme" for school leaders.

Ms Sturgeon also announced plans to work with councils to train "community education champions" to provide additional support to headteachers.

Image source, PA

This afternoon in the chamber: 

• Portfolio questions will see Education Secretary John Swinney in the hot seat
• Labour will lead a debate calling for renewed action to support oil and gas industry jobs
• SNP MSP Clare Haughey leads a debate highlighting the rise in membership of trade unions in Scotland

That concludes the first ever sitting of the Rural Economy and Connectivity concludes.

MSPs consider the work programme for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.

A number of members ask for Economy Secretary Keith Brown to come before the committee to discuss the delay to the Queensferry Crossing.

Image source, bbc

The new £1.35bn road bridge across the Forth will now open in May 2017, six months later than originally planned.

The Queensferry Crossing was scheduled to be completed by December this year but that deadline will not be met.

Mr Brown has said contractors remain on schedule to complete the project ahead of the contractual completion date - six months after the December target.

Mr Mountain moves onto agenda item 5, the development of its work programme.

He says Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing is coming before the committee on the 29th June and proposes that the committee also invite Economy Secretary Keith Brown.

Mr Mountain now moves to conisderation of the Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments etc.) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2016, external and the fact the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee accepted the breach was acceptable under the circumstances.

The committee agrees to make no recommendation on the instrument.

Mr Mountain thanks the committee for being made convener.

The Conservative MSP then calls on the committee to appoint a deputy convener and it agrees to the appointment of SNP MSP Gail Ross.

The committee chooses Conservative Edward Mountain as convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity committee.  

Mr Stevenson asks for any declaration of interests and begins by saying he jointly owns a registered agricultural holding of less than two hectares with no income.

MSPs around the table also declare their interests.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee begins., external

http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/rural-committee.aspx

Again today it's age before... anyone else in the committees until a convener and deputy convener is elected the oldest member chairs.

That means SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson has the helm.

The Scottish government has written to the presiding officer, with regret, to explain the breach of laying requirements in relation to the CAP minor legislation. 

In section 28(2) of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland)Act 2010 (ILRA) , external28 days should be allowed between laying and bringing into force the provisions of minor legislation.

When this is not possible a letter explaining the reasons must be sent to the presiding officer. 

The government has said that failure to comply with the laying requirements does not affect the validity of the minor legislation or the ability of Parliament to scrutinise and report on it.

It also said that it regrets this action had to be taken so early in the parliamentary session and in advance of the establishment of the parliament’s committee structure. 

It was however deemed the most appropriate action to bring this particular minor legislation into force on 18 May 2016 by the government.

The Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments etc.) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2016, external was made by the Scottish Ministers under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972, external on 17 May 2016. 

It was laid before the Scottish Parliament on the same date and it came into force on 18 May 2016. 

Image source, bbc

The European Commission instrument enabling the extension of the deadlines for applications under the Common Agricultural Policy direct payments scheme came into force only on Friday 13 May 2016  

The Scottish government sought to make, lay and bring into force this instrument as soon as possible after that date, especially given that the existing deadlines in SSI 2015/58 expire on 16 May for 2016. 

The regulations changed the final date for submission of a single application, aid application or payment claim to 15th June 2016.

Image source, bbc

The Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee sits for the very first time.

It will begin by choosing it convener and deputy convener.

MSPs will consider the Common Agricultural Policy (Direct Payments etc.) (Scotland)Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2016, external. 

The committee will then consider its work programme. 

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 15 June 2016.

The first ever sitting of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will look again at the minor legislation that allowed farmers to apply for CAP payments until tomorrow.

Image source, Thinkstock

Portfolio questions will focus on education and skills. 

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour will then lead a debate focusing on the economy. 

SNP MSP Clare Haughey will then lead a debate highlighting the rise in membership of trade unions in Scotland.