The Equalities and Human Rights Committee takes evidence on destitution, asylum and immigration status in Scotland
Child fares on public transport and A&E waiting times are among the issues raised in general questions
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition MSPs during first minister's questions
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie leads this afternoon's member's debate on the future of Elmwood campus
The Scottish government delivers four ministerial statements on the mental health strategy, transvaginal mesh implants, unconventional oil and gas and the Enterprise and Skills Review
Mr Sarwar raises a point of order saying Mr Connelly's letter shows people are still working 12 days in a row and calls on the first minister to withdraw her statement in relation to that.
That's not a point of order says the presiding officer.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar asks what progress the Scottish government has made on its commitment to reduce the number of working hours for junior doctors.
The first minister says the campaigning of Brian Connelly after the tragic death of his daugher Lauren has already led to a drop in hours.
Ms Strugeon says the government is working towards a 48 hour maximum week for junior doctor.
Mr Sarwar says Mr Connelly says doctors are still being scheduled to work 12 days in a row.
He says Mr Connelly believes the hours junior doctors are working are "inherently dangerous". Mr Sarwar calls on the health secretary to apologise to Mr Connelly.
Ms Sturgeon says she hopes she can reassure Mr Connelly as he can take credit for his campaigning.
Labour MSP Iain Gray asks what the Scottish government's response is to reports that only on in 18 schools were inspected last year.
Ms Sturgeon says in addition to inspections, Education Scotland also supplies support to schools.
Mr Gray says Education Scotland has been reducing the number of inspections, less than half those made in 2007.
He asks if the first minister accepts the merging of the inspectorate into Education Scotland was a mistake.
The first minister says that merger is under review and she says Education Scotland is revieiwing its inspection regime with a view to increasing them.
She says Kezia Dugdale called for a one year suspension of inspections of schools.
Police officers carrying Tasers will now patrol outside the Scottish Parliament.
MSPs have been informed of the increased security following last week's Westminster attack .
Police Scotland said the measure was an operational contingency matter and was not based on any intelligence threat in relation to Holyrood.
However, calls for all police officers in Scotland to be equipped with Tasers have been rejected.
Scottish Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks whether Police Scotland plans to increase the number of armed officers.
Ms Sturgeons says the number of armed police officers is an operational matter for the chief constable.
She says she spoke to the chief constable after the tragic incident at Westminster and she says he said he had the resources to respond.
Mr Greene says police chiefs have said they are match fit, but the Scottish Police Federation have said they are not.
Ms Sturgeon says the government will always work to ensure the police have the resources they need.
She says there was an increase in armed officers of 124 last year taking the total to 479.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, HUUB MOOLENAARThe National Museum of Scotland was the most-visited attraction in Scotland
Scottish leading visitor attractions "outperformed" the UK average last year, according to new figures .
The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) said it saw a 7.2% increase across all its UK sites last year but Scotland went up 15.6%.
The 10 most popular sites in the UK were all in London.
The National Museum of Scotland, which opened 10 new galleries in 2016, was the most-visited attraction in Scotland, with 1.8 million visitors.
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks the first minister what further initiatives the Scottish government will take to boost tourism, in light of a 15.6% increase in attendance at Scotland's visitor attractions in 2016.
Ms Sturgeon says this has been a record year for Scotland's leading visitor attractions.
Mr Gibson agrees.
The SNP MSP says the 10 most visited attractions were in London and he asks what more can be done to make Scotland a destination of first choice.
The first minister says she shares Mr Gibson's desire to get tourists not just to Scotland's cities but across the country.
SNP MSP Rona Mackay says Scotland has a great record in inward investment and asks the first minister for an update.
Ms Sturgeon says it is really important that the "Scotland is open for business" message gets across.
The first minister says Scotland is the most successful part of the UK for inward investment, outside London and the South East.
Green MSP Andy Wightman raises the issue of investigative journalism in the Herald on the "havoc" being wreaked by Scottish limited partnerships.
Ms Sturgeon pays tribute to David Leask and his team at the Herald for shedding light on this issue.
The first minister says much of this issue lies in the hands of Westminster but the Scottish government will not shy away from taking action where it can.
Image source, PAAn independent watchdog has strongly criticised the treatment by the NHS and police of victims of sexual assault.
The inspector of constabulary (HMICS) said services offered to some victims were "unacceptable."
The review, external said they lagged behind the rest of the UK, with many victims being examined in police stations.
The Scottish government said it was establishing a group to improve the responses to victims of rape or sexual assault.
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says today a damning report about forensic medical services to victims of sexual crime was published, highlighting traumatic trips from the islands.
He calls for an update after the Easter recess.
Ms Sturgeon says she is happy to confirm there will be a ministerial statement on this.
She adds that Mr McArthur is right to highlight the issue of victims in the islands.
The prime minister has taken a "leap in the dark" by triggering Article 50, Scotland's first minister has claimed.
The letter signed by Theresa May that formally begins the UK's departure from the EU has been delivered in Brussels.
Mrs May is telling MPs that this will mark "the moment for the country to come together".
Nicola Sturgeon: 'Brexit is a leap in the dark'
However Nicola Sturgeon said the prime minister still could not answer basic questions about what Brexit would actually mean.
Mrs May's letter to European Council president Donald Tusk was delivered by the British ambassador to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow, at about 12:20.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie accuses the UK government of showing Scotland contempt.
Mr Harvie says he wants power to go back in the hands of the Scottish people.
He asks the first minister to ensure there will be full parliamentary scrutiny at Holyrood.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she agrees with Patrick Harvie.
Ms Sturgeon accuses the Tories of "arrogant sniggering".
She says she did not learn of the timing of the triggering of Article 50 until she read it on the BBC.
Ms Sturgeon says the Welsh first minister agrees the devolved nations have been treated with contempt.
She says people do not want a Tory Brexit.
Holyrood backs Sturgeon's call for Indyref2
Nicola Sturgeon's call for a second referendum on independence for Scotland has been formally backed by the Scottish Parliament .
MSPs voted by 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for a referendum before the UK leaves the EU.
Ms Sturgeon says the move is needed to allow Scotland to decide what path to follow in the wake of the Brexit vote.
But the UK government has already said it will block a referendum until after the Brexit process has been completed.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Image source, Getty ImagesThousands of EU laws on everything from workers' rights to the environment are to be scrapped or replaced with UK equivalents in a new plan .
Details of the planned Great Repeal Bill have been published, external - the day after the UK officially began the two year process of leaving the EU.
Ministers need to "copy and paste" EU laws into UK law to avoid a legal "black hole" when Brexit happens.
It comes as UK ministers reject claims of a row with the EU over future security.
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie says it is "astonishing" that the Tories raised recruitment in public services considering the Tory government has launched its "absurd repeal bill."
He asks the first minister's opinion on the Great Repeal Bill.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Mr Harvie is right that the biggest risk is Brexit and says the Tories bear a responsibility for that.
Ms Sturgeon says, on the Great Repeal Bill, the Tories talk very carefully.
She says the issue around the Great Repeal Bill is around powers being repatriated in areas that are devolved.
Ms Sturgeon warns of a Tory power grab on Holyrood.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Tory MSP Oliver Mundell says there has been the increasing use of temporary traffic lights on the A76 trunk road in his constituency because of repair issues.
Mr Mundell asks what can be done to bring the road back up to standards.
Ms Sturgeon says she will get back to the member on the detail of temporary traffic lights on that road.