Following on from the issue of child abuse in football being raised at topical questions, here is some breaking news.

The Scottish government motion is agreed unanimously.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Scottish government motion, as amended, is agreed to.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Labour amendment is amendment is unanimously agreed to.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Tory amendment is rejected with 29 MSPs backing it and with 84 against.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, bbc

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh says to Mr Allan he does not need to speak for the full 12 minutes as the debate runs out of speakers early.

Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Grahame pays tribute to Denis Canavan who put forward a bill to make St Andrews day a bank holiday.

International Development Minister Alasdair Allan agrees to write to Mr Canavan to gain his perspectives.

A bill to make St Andrew's Day a day of national celebration in Scotland was passed in the Scottish Parliament in 2006.

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The then Falkirk West independent MSP Dennis Canavan, who first introduced the bill, agreed to a compromise with the Scottish Executive.

Instead of a full public holiday, MSPs agreed to make 30 November a voluntary public holiday.

First Minister Jack McConnell said he wanted the day to focus more on celebrating Scotland.

Mr Canavan originally wanted the 30 November to be declared an additional full public holiday.

Scottish Greens MSP Mike Rumbles says all the MSPs across the chamber want to make Scotland a better place.

Mr Rumbes says we only need a government prepared to use the devolved powers for the "greater good."

He says tomorrow may be the day the Scottish government decide to use those powers to make Scotland better. 

SNP MSP Clare Haughey says there are 50m people worldwide claim a Scottish connection.

There is a huge potential to promote Scotland using St Andrew's day, says the SNP MSP.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says the legacy of St Andrew does not belong to Scotland alone.

Mr Macdonald says legend has it that St Andrew on an X shaped cross.

He says promoting an awareness of the peoples and cultures of the wider world, and the threats they face, should be part of modern day celebration of St Andrew's day.

The Labour MSP says: "Our world is not limited by borders."

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Conservative MSP Maurice Corry says St Andrew is also the patron saint of other countries and fishermen.

Mr Corry points out that St Andrew is also the patron saint of fishmongers, gout, spinsters, sore throats and old maids.

Image source, TVONDERHAAR

St Andrew's Day, 30 November, is Scotland's national day - or, rather, one of Scotland's national days. With the debate on Scottish identity, which has been gathering momentum for over 30 years, how far has this symbol of Scottishness become a battle ground?

In the gently rolling hills of the Scottish Lowlands in AD 832, King Angus and his small army of Scots and Picts were preparing to face their enemy, the Angles and Saxons, near the town of Athelstaneford.

Legend has it that, just before the battle, Angus prayed for help in overcoming their opponents.

And there it was: centuries before jet engine vapour trails, a giant white diagonal cross - the same kind of cross that Andrew had been crucified on - appeared in the blue sky.

 The Scots won the battle; Andrew became Scotland's patron saint, and this alliance was later formalised in the Saltire, Scotland's flag - a material representation of the emboldening Athelstaneford cloud formation.  

Mr Allan says St Andrew's Day will grow in stature and the government aim to have the saltire projected onto Edinburgh castle for the celebration of the day in 2017. 

The minister says he hopes people can embrace the opportunities that the day brings in the future. 

Image source, bbc

International Development and Europe Minister Alasdair Allan begins by wishing everyone a happy St Andrew's day.....tomorrow.

Mr Allan says St Andrew's day is now celebrated around the world.

Mr Russell says Brexit says we will turn inwards, which is not necessary or sensible.

The Brexit Minister says the cost of Brexit is now becoming apparent, a cost of £226m a week increased borrowing.

He says the Tories do not have the courage of their constituents convictions.

Mr Russell asks why would Scotland want to leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK.

The Tories are making this a choice between the EU and the UK, yet the Tories intend the hardest of hard Brexits and to ignore Scottish democracy, says the minister.

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Mr Russell says the link between the cultural and the economic was recognised by many MSPs.

The Brexit minister says underpinning the success of our way of life is the freedom of movement, which enriches our culture.

He says it is about that openness and that exchange, not just about money.

Mr Russell says the Tory MSPs merely say "Brexit means Brexit" and ignored issues around the single market, EFTA or the EEA.

Brexit Minister Mike Russell says Mr Ross should spend less time running the line in Lisbon and a little more time learning the art of politics in Scotland.

Mr Russell says Mr Ross's speech was one of the most graceless closing speeches he has ever heard.