Mr Whittle says the number of PE teachers has reduced dramatically by 7% since 2007.

The Conservative MSP asks the education secretary to take PE seriously and employ more primary PE teachers.

Mr Swinney says both the new primary schools he opened today are championing the daily mile.

Scottish Conservative MSP Brian Whittle asks how many specialist primary school PE teachers there are.  

Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith asks for a guarantee that the government are not seeking to control universities. 

Mr Swinney says he gives a "cast-iron guarantee" that the government will not seek to control universities. 

Image source, bbc

Education Secretary John Swinney says phase one of the enterprise and skills review recommended a new board to replace individual agency boards.

Mr Gray says the cabinet secretary must be aware of concerns over this and asks if he will think again to maintain autonomy of Scotland's higher education institutions.

Mr Swinney says of course he is aware of it but is also "absolutely determined" that the university sector remains autonomous. 

Douglas Fraser
Scotland business & economy editor

Concerns have been raised about the centralisation of funding for Scottish universities, BBC Scotland has learned.

Image source, Thinkstock

Critics have warned that the abolition of the Scottish Funding Council could pose a threat to academic independence.

The concern follows a decision two weeks ago to put the Scottish government's economic agencies under a single national board.

It has since become clear that the four boards of directors running the agencies face abolition.

Scottish Labour MSP Iain Gray asks whether the government plans to disband the board of the Scottish Funding Council.

Image source, bbc

Education and Skills Secretary John Swinney says he last met with the EIS on 1st June 2016.

Mr Scott asks what is being done in light of widespread concerns on the SQA's performance. 

Mr Swinney says it is important that the SQA takes advice and criticisms from stakeholders and continue to work towards improvements. 

Scottish Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks when ministers last met the EIS and what matters were discussed.

Image source, bbc

Ms Somerville says colleges are committed to producing graduates ready for work.

The minister says college places both full and part time are based on the needs of the economy 

Scottish Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart asks what measures the government has introduced to assist the college sector in responding to the needs of employers.

Mr Lochhead says there is evidence Moray College UHI is underfunded by 10% and asks for it to be investigated.

Further Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says it is a matter for UHI and they will respond directly on it. 

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead asks what financial support the government provides to Moray College UHI.

Image source, bbc

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says the government has invested more than £1b in Scotland's universities. 

Mr MacDonald says the question was about the impact of the funding cuts. 

Ms Somerville says funding decisions for individual institutions are made by the Funding Council. 

Scottish Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks what impact the reported reduction to revenue grants from the Scottish Funding Council has had on the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.

Image source, BBC / SPL

First up in the chamber this afternoon it's the turn of education and skills ministers to take the hot seats for portfolio questions.

This will be followed by a ministerial statement from Transport Minister Humza Yousaf on rail services. 

Image source, bbc

The Scottish government will then lead a debate on the future of social security in Scotland.

After decision time, this evening's member's debate is led by SNP MSP Bob Doris as he calls for support for the year of the dad. 

Convener Bruce Crawford thanks the both the witnesses and moves the Finance Committee into private session.

We'll be back at 2pm. 

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says the fiscal framework has done away with the old distinction that a power is reserved, or it is devolved.

Mr Tomkins says there is quite a lot of shared power in social security and in taxation.

He asks how the exercise of shared power be held to account.

Ms Gardner says there is still a lot of uncertainty as to how things will unfold.

The auditor general says it will remain the case all of the devolved income tax will be collected by HMRC.