SNP MSP Clare Haughey says the government are supporting various health initiatives.

Ms Haughey says the government are operating in conditions of continuing austerity from the Westminster government. 

She says the "Tory Westminster agenda is the biggest barrier to solving the problem". 

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw refers to the baby box saying it is a good idea but that he is disappointed that it is branded with a slogan saying "a gift from the Scottish government".

Mr Carlaw asks if people will wake up from operations with a tattoo saying "a gift from the Scottish government" or if children will wear uniforms branded with this slogan.

The Tory MSP says "the baby box is not a gift from the Scottish government, it is an entitlement that should not be used for SNP propoganda." 

Labour MSP Colin Smyth says we are all dealing with more stress which can have an impact on mental health and obesity.

Mr Smyth says there should be better regulation around the advertising of unhealthy foods.

The Labour MSP says: "To tackle health inequality, we must tackle wealth inequality".

Mr Smyth says the Scottish government has taken its eye off the ball with health inequalities as it is too concerned with what is happening in England.

He says Labour will support the Conservative motion and the SNP amendment. 

Public Health and Sport Minister Aileen Campbell says health inequality has increased due to austerity and welfare reforms. 

Ms Campbell says poverty is an underlying cause for many of the issues around public health. 

The public health and sport minister says the obesity problem continues to show an increasing gap between the wealthiest and the poorest children. 

Ms Cambell says the government will continue to work with local authorities on sport plans. 

Public Health and Sport Minister Aileen Campbell intervenes to say many of the barriers to sport are due to austerity from the UK government.

Mr Whittle hits back saying, given Scotland has the highest foodbank usage, what have the Scottish government done in the last ten years

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says it is a huge step change to health that is required to stop the worrying slide of the nation's health.

Mr Whittle says figures show a growing gap in health inequality.

He says the pathways for a healthier lifestyle must be available to all and start in pre-school.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay intervenes to say the best way to reduce health inequality is to reduce income inequality and asks if that will be addressed in Mr Whittle's speech.

Mr Whittle says he will come to that. 

He says a policy must be created where schools can stay open after hours to promote sport. 

The Scottish Conservatives will now lead a debate on health. 

Image source, bbc

Mr Ross says some SNP members are against the government's plans.

The Tory MSP says his party were accused yesterday of "toeing the party line", he asks what SNP members will do at decision time tonight and whether backbenchers will follow the party line. 

"They say they stand up for Scotland but really they just stand up for what Nicola and the government tells them to do," he says. 

Tory MSP Douglas Ross says he will not be taking interventions.

Mr Ross says SNP MSP Gail Ross called his party "liars" and points out that there is a lot of support for this motion.

The Tory MSP says it was "disingenuous" of the government to commend HIE for its excellent work, just before it announced that the board would be disbanded.

Image source, bbc

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says he is listening to the points being made and will take them on board.

Mr Brown says he recognises the significant contribution HIE has made.

The economy secretary says the Governance Review will outline more on the responsibility of decision making.

He says the new board being created in the south of Scotland is the opposite of centralisation.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant intervenes to say the economy secretary said "a new board" and asks what the is the point of replacing the HIE board with a south of Scotland board.

Mr Brown says he meant a new south of Scotland agency. 

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Richard Leonard says these proposals from the Scottish government amount to replacing good policy with bad.

Mr Leonard says the very idea that one body can deal with everything from funding Scotland's higher education to the funding and support for fragile crofts, beggars belief.

SNP MSP John Mason says the Audit Scotland report found that Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are performing similar roles in certain areas.

Mr Mason says the report found that some support was delivered jointly by SE and HIE and some separately.

He says centralisation vs de-centralisation is a tricky subject and the government are "seeking the best of both worlds".

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says his party supports the need for greater alignment of the enterprise and skills agencies.

However Mr Lockhart says his party categorically does not support the abolition of the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

He says centralising decision making is not the right answer and he calls for the local board that understands the Highlands and Islands to remain.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur quotes former HIE chief executive Dr Jim Hunter saying disbanding the board is "ministerial control freakery". 

Mr McArthur says: "Since taking office, the SNP has taken a hatchet to HIE".

He says his party will be supporting the Tory motion. 

Green MSP Andy Wightman is standing in for his colleague John Finnie, who regrets he can not attend due to ill health.

Mr Finnie criticises the Scottish government's proposal to abolish the HIE board.

Image source, bbc

Mr Wightman says Mr Brown has legal status, I have legal status, Donald Trump has legal status, but we are all different entities.

He says will HIE retain its legal personality after the reforms and the changes proposed are unnecessary.

The Green MSP says his party will back the Tory motion at decision time, bringing the SNP closer to defeat.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Ivan McKee says HIE will continue to retain its legal status, chief executive, management team, local base and local decision-making powers

The same services will continue to be delivered by the same people at HIE, says the SNP MSP.

To find out if democracy does "strike back" tonight, tune in at the slightly late time of 17:30....