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SNP MSP Emma Harper asks about the possibility of more programmes in Scots language

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says says the corporatation encourages Scots language across the output

She says BBC Scotland broadcast a three parter on the rock and roll life of Robert Burns

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says: "We are very committed to reflecting the Scots language where and when we can."

There's still four days left to listen to The Secret Rock 'n' Roll Life of Robert Burns.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine asks where BBC Scotland are with the Scotland homepage online.

Ms McAlpine asks if there is a deadline.

BBC Scotland's director Donalda MacKinnon says the work is ongoing at the moment.

Lord Hall says one of the "big pushes" at the moment is to get people to sign in for a more persoanlised service.

The BBC's director-general says sign in is voluntary at the moment but it is going to be mandatory in the future. 

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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott moves onto digital roll out.

BBC director of nations and regions Ken MacQuarrie says the BBC recognises there is an imbalance in broadband across Scotland.

Mr MacQuarrie says the BBC would be happy to sit down and identify where the issues are and be part of that conversation.

BBC director-general Tony Hall says the corporation will help in any way it can.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine asks how it will be ensured Scotland's independent producers are given a level playing field.

Lord Hall says the unity board and Ofcom have the duty of checking that there is a level playing field.

The BBC's director-general says he has great confidence in the BBC's in-house teams and it is also important to make sure in-house teams also have a fair chance.

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Can Scotland produce drama to the level of Borgern, asks SNP MSP Richard Lochhead.

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says there are already many ideas to achieve the Borgen level of drama production.

Ms MacKinnon says in many ways we are already there with a returning brand in Shetland.

She also says look out for the Replacement and the Clique coming soon.

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead says he is trying to get his head around the relationship between the creative sector and the BBC.

BBC Scotland's director Donalda MacKinnon says with the setting up of BBC studios, BBC Scotland have had to look at the commissioning processes.

Ms MacKinnon says it is important to have flexibility in commissioning but everyone should feel they have equal access in terms of availability. 

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Mr Macdonald moves on to BBC Alba and wonders what the vision of Ken MacQuarrie for the future of Gaelic broadcasting.

Ken MacQuarrie says there is a great opportunities for the nations and regions to work together..

Within that BBC Alba can benefit fromt that, says the BBC director of nations.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks for the witnesses thought on commissioning Scottish programming for the network.

Lord Hall says having positions such as Ken MacQuarrie's which is the director of nations and regions means that the nations should be represented on network.

Mr Macdonald asks for an update on devolution of service licence agreements.

The BBC's director-general says how the BBC is organised in that respect is a question for the BBC's new chair Sir David Clementi.

Join us for extensive coverage of the final debate on the budget from 2.30pm this afternoon.

We will bring you live coverage, reports on the debate, social media reaction and, of course, that all important decision time at 5pm.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine asks if the channel controllers have the green light.

Lord Hall says they say "yay, or nay, in the end" but the voice of Scotland's commissioners will be at the core of the debate.

Ms McAlpine asks if all the commissioners live in Scotland.

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says all do. 

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Green MSP Ross Greer asks if the new role will be based three days a week in London.

BBC director of nations and regions Ken MacQuarrie says the appointments process is underway at the moment, but the commissioners will be back and forth. 

Lord Hall says to get to targets in the past, the BBC has moved as much as it can to Scotland, which has created jobs. 

The BBC's director-general says the organisation is now moving towards working with Scottish independent production companies.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine says independent producers have previously made the point that network commissioning decisions are made in London by four separate commissioning controllers.

"The power is still with these four individuals in London," she says.

Lord Hall says making television across the network is a collaboration and Scottish commissioners should be "around the table" when those decisions are made.

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Culture Committee convener Joan McAlpine now moves on to concerns about "lift and shift" production.

"Lift and shift" is programmes envisioned elsewhere but transferred to Scotland.

BBC director of nations and regions Ken MacQuarrie says there are new portrayal targets.

Mr MacQuarrie says the BBC wants to grow from the ground across the UK.

He says in terms of lift and shift, the BBC will got to Ofcom on any challenge.

Ms McAlpine says that does not sound as if the BBC is doing anything new.

The BBC director of nations and regions says there are new measures and details them,.

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says there will be a far greater newsgathering ability in Scotland and that will enhance Reporting Scotland too.

Ms MacKinnon says: "I think this is a win, win."  

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says he is old enough to remember the BBC news slot being at 9pm before it was moved to 10pm.

Mr McMillan says one of the reasons, he believes, for this was so that 9pm programming was not split.

He asks if the "9pm slot is doomed to fail," if it is splitting drama programmes.

Lord Hall says 9pm is a good slot to capture audiences and viewership.

The BBC's director-general says a lot of people now watch drama on catch-up. 

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SNP MSP Emma Harper says she is "worried that £30m won't stretch very far" and asks if there will be access to international reporters.

Lord Hall says: "Absolutely."

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says he "genuinely welcomes the announcement yesterday".

Mr McMillan asks about the additional £1.2m for BBC Alba, which he says is welcome but does not put it on a par with S4C in Wales.

BBC Scotland director Donalda MacKinnon says currently there is investement of £5.5m in BBC Alba.

The new channel will have obvious benefits for BBC Alba and Radio nan Gàidheal - Dachaigh, says Ms MacKinnon.

"I see the opportunities for these channels as immense."

Greens MSP Ross Greer says, as an NUJ member, he welcomes the news of new jobs. 

Mr Greer asks what this will mean for existing journalists because yesterday's announcement did not really cover that.

BBC director of nations and regions Ken MacQuarrie says there is real excitement over the new channel and there is an opportunity for creativity and to do something very special.

Mr MacQuarrie says his colleagues are excited about the new channel.

He says BBC Scotland has a wealth of talent coming through from its apprenticeship scheme.

BBC Scotland director Donalda Mackinnon says programmes have been commissioned by BBC Scotland that have performed "fantastically" on BBC One but can sometimes be difficult to find. 

Sarah Smith
Scotland Editor

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From: the BBC's Scotland editor Sarah Smith

The BBC is very experienced at broadcasting news to as many people as possible.

Traditionally it's always been much less good at keeping secrets.

Journalists have a natural inclination toward gossip.

So, it was highly unusual that BBC bosses had managed to keep the launch of a whole new BBC Scotland channel entirely secret until it was announced to staff on Wednesday morning.

What now for a Scottish Six?

Staff, viewers and politicians were expecting to be told that plans for a "Scottish Six" had been shelved.

No one knew that there would be an hour-long news programme with Scottish, UK and world news at 9pm instead.

Read more here.