Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Neil Bibby asks if the government is, in principle, in favour of maintaining the level of concession.

The minister says this matter has been discussed by a number of political parties.

Mr Yousaf  again stresses there will be a public consultation and those that have a free bus pass will keep it.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks if the government seriously plans on constraining concessionary bus travel for disabled people.

Mr Yousaf says he can guarantee it will not be constrained for disabled passengers.

The transport minister says those who hold a bus pass will no lose it. 

Image source, bbc

Mr Rumbles says people deserve to know what the SNP have in store for them.

Mr Yousaf says this is not a surprise and the government is going through a methodical process with the consultation.

The transport minister says this will be a very public and transparent process.

He says extending the scheme to modern apprentices is a noble thing to do. 

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says the government will undertake a consultation with key stakeholders.

Mr Yousaf says the scheme should benefit those most reliant on public transport.

Mr Rumbles says the concessionary travel scheme helps people get around and that people will not be impressed with the government changing it.

Mr Yousaf says the government has funded the scheme for almost a decade and Mr Rumbles should not believe everything they reads in the media.

Transport Scotland has confirmed that there is going to be a public consultation on the age in which people in Scotland will qualify for a bus pass.

It is understood current holders of the free bus pass will be unaffected but the programme for government said that it would "examine options to safeguard the longer-term sustainability of the concessionary travel scheme".  

Image source, bbc

The Sunday Post reported that the age at which Scots qualify for a free bus pass is to rise, external.

The paper said "in the face of soaring costs, SNP ministers are planning to increase the eligibility age for the popular concessionary travel scheme from 60."

"A public consultation on the move will get under way later this year but it is understood current holders of the free bus pass will be unaffected."

"The move was meant to have been launched this month but has now been put off until after May’s council elections."

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles asks the Scottish government whether it plans to increase the eligibility age for the concessionary travel scheme.

MSPs will now raise issues around the concessionary travel scheme and the help available for victims of rape.

Jessica Reid and Callum Docherty from Braes High School, Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk give today's time for reflection.

Ms Mackay moves the committee into private session.

We'll be back at 2pm.

Image source, SFRS

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has shut its operations control room in Inverness.

Emergency calls for the Highlands and Islands will now be handled by staff based in Dundee.

SFRS said they were working from "hi-spec modular accommodation" near to where a new North Control building is being constructed at MacAlpine Road.

Dundee already handles calls for north east Scotland following the closure of Aberdeen's control room last month.

SFRS said the public would see no difference in how calls were handled.

The committee now considers the following two petitions:

PE1510, external by Jody Curtis on the closure of police, fire and non-emergency service centres north of Dundee 

PE1511, external by Laura Ross on the decision made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to close Inverness control room.

SNP Stewart Stevenson and Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur both suggest getting more information and keeping the petitions open.

Ms Mackay agrees and the petitions are kept open.

Image source, MOD

In March 2015, we reported that the Crown Office said no fatal accident inquiry would be held into a collision between two RAF Tornado GR4 jets in 2012, the .

Three airmen were killed and another seriously injured when the aircraft collided over the Moray Firth in northern Scotland.

The planes from 15 (Reserve) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth, in Moray, crashed into the sea during a training flight.

The families of the victims said they were disappointed by the decision.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay begins with  PE1501, external by Stuart Graham on public inquiries into self-inflicted and accidental deaths following suspicious death investigations and PE1567 , externalby Donna O'Halloran on investigating unascertained deaths, suicides and fatal accidents in Scotland.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson raises the issue of the Tornado collision and says opportunities may have dropped through the system.

Mr Stevenson says he would like to hear from the Scottish government on military deaths before the petition is closed.

Ms Mackay agrees with that.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Douglas Ross says his constituent Mr Jones has been in contact about this and he calls for the petition to be kept open. 

He asks for the Crown Office to be written to over sudden death.

Ms Mackay says the committee should also write to the Lord Advocate.

The committee will now consider the following current petitions

PE1501, external by Stuart Graham on public inquiries into self-inflicted and accidental deaths following suspicious death investigations

PE1567 , externalby Donna O'Halloran on investigating unascertained deaths, suicides and fatal accidents in Scotland

PE1510, external by Jody Curtis on the closure of police, fire and non-emergency service centres north of Dundee 

PE1511, external by Laura Ross on the decision made by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to close Inverness control room

Cameron Black from the Bethany ChristianTrust says issues upstream must be dealt with in lots of different area

Amy Dalrymple from Alzheimer Scotland says if the appropriate supports are put in place to help people live their lives then demands will be reduced.

Bob Leslie from Social Work Scotland says effective joint working is required and health and sport ministers should be offering support as some of this falls into their remit.

David Liddell from the Scottish Drugs Forum says the vulnerable population must be looked at, particularly those with a dual diagnoses, and he calls for more partnership working

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham from Police Scotland says lets focus on the causes of these issues and direct funding to where it has the most effect, in the early years.

Calum Steele from the Scottish Police Federation says we won't make a difference to people's lives if we do not stop looking at them as a financial situation. 

Dr Peter Bennie from the British Medical Association says we are dealing with individuals but our backs are against the wall because of austerity.