Tory MSP Graham Simpson says Clare Adamson is right about Ravenscraig and asks if the minister agrees that the Glasgow City Deal should be refreshed.

Mr Brown says he would not rule out refreshing the deal and says the member should take it up with the UK government.

The economy secretary says the projects put forward were put forward by local authorities. 

Image source, bbc

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says the government is committed to the deal and three core North Lanarkshire projects have been earmarked during the first ten years.

Ms Adamson says the Ravenscraig site has been a national priority since 2013 and asks if this will be taken into consideration.

Mr Brown says the projects are the partner's responsibilities and fund have been invested to regenerate the site.

SNP MSP Clare Adamson ask the Scottish Government what benefits the Glasgow city deal will bring to Motherwell and Wishaw.  

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Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman says the government will spend £21m on advice services. 

Ms Freeman says local authorities are responsible for providing welfare support advice. 

Mr Sarwar says: "The Scottish government is happier to court grievance and wave flags that to get on the the day job."

The Labour MSP says the minister has cut £600,000 from advice services in Glasgow alone.

Ms Freeman says this is political point scoring and that the government is supporting individuals across Scotland.

The minister says Mr Sarwar is misrepresenting the facts. 

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar asks the Scottish government how it is assisting local authorities to provide welfare support advice.  

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Economy Secretary Keith Brown says he has made very clear to the three Ayrshire councils he is committed to taking measures so that the local economy thrives.

Mr Whittle asks Mr brown to clarify what the government means by commitment to the Ayrshire growth deal.

Mr Brown says he has made intentions clear to the Ayrshire councils and it is important to work together as the government continues to bring forward proposals. 

Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks what support the will provide to the proposed Ayrshire growth deal.  

Image source, PA/Scottish Parliament

After general questions, we will, as ever, bring you extensive coverage of first minister’s questions.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay will lead a member’s debate against Edinburgh Airport’s plan to introduce new flight paths.

The Scottish government will then give a ministerial statement on Scotland’s Social Security Agency.

MSPs will then participate in the Stage 1 debate on the Limitation (Childhood Abuse) (Scotland) Bill.

That brings the Public Petitions Committee to an end.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says the eligibility point has been an ongoing argument. 

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says he is not of a mind to close the petition and he believes that asking the government for a time frame of its consultation would be worthwhile. 

Ms Lamont says it is striking that 50% of children do not get the full two-year provision but how manageable would it be to bring children in on their birthdays.

Mr Whittle says there is enough evidence to go back to the government to ask for timescales. 

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says the government could clarify their view on eligibility.

The committee agrees to write to the government.

Image source, Thinkstock

Finally MSPs consider PE1630, external by Fiona Webb on nursery funding for 3 year olds.  

Ms Lamont says the minister for childcare and early years has provided details on eligibility to the committee.

She says Reform Scotland supports the petition, but Unison does not, saying it is not child centred. 

Ms Lamont says it is happenstance when you are born whether you get two years of free childcare or not.

According to a report in the Herald, external, a  woman diagnosed with an ultra-rare form of cancer has called on the NHS, external in Scotland, external to provide sufferers with the same level of follow-up care that patients get in England.

Jennifer Lewis, 52, was found to have ocular melanoma - a type of eye cancer that affects just seven people in every million.

The disease was spotted during a routine eye test, and Ms Lewis went on to have treatment at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, external.

Ms Lamont moves to PE1629, external by Jennifer Lewis on MRI scans for Ocular Melanoma sufferers in Scotland.

The committee convener says the petitioner suggests that current guidelines are under review and it would be worth seeking the view of medical professionals as we as ocular specialists.

She asks for comments from the committee.

Tory MSP Brian Whittle says it would be appropriate to write to the Scottish government.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says there are differing standards between England and Scotland and the Scottish ocular service could learn a lot. 

Committee convener Johann Lamont says there is more to explore with the government and chief medical officer. 

Ms Lamont says she does not wish to close the regulation of the buses petition until the detail of the Transport Bill is known.

SNP MSP Angus Macdonald agrees and Tory MSP Brian Whittle suggests writing to the Scottish government on its consultation for the Transport Bill. 

MSPs agree to write to the Scottish government to ask about timescales for the bill. 

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MSPs are being urged to radically change the way Scotland's bus services are run.

The Unite union says communities are being let down by privately-operated routes leading to falling passenger numbers and rising fares.

Scotland's buses were deregulated by Margaret Thatcher's government more than 30 years ago.

The Scottish government has said it was ploughing almost £250m a year into the bus network.

Image source, bbc

MSPs now consider PE1626, external by Pat Rafferty on behalf of Unite on Regulation of Bus Services.  

Ms Lamont says the government will introduce a Transport Bill with buses at its core.

She says the petitioner seeks clarifcation from the Scottish government. 

The committee convener says there is definitely an issue here and the question is whether the committee would conduct the inquiry or whether the legislation will afford the opportunity to look at these issue.

Ms Lamont moves to PE1623, external by Spencer Fildes on behalf of Scottish Secular Society on Unelected church appointees on Local Authority Education Committees.

The committee convener says Scottish government findings are set to be published on this in due course.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says the government should be asked for timescales on its Education and Governance Review.

Ms Lamont says there is some information from COSLA on this and asks if others agree to write to the government. 

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says clarification is needed and then the committee can decide whether to take it forward.

The committee agrees to seek information from the government.

Image source, bbc

A widower campaigning to raise public awareness of sepsis has said he is "astonished" some health boards are wary that the move might cause "alarm".

Jim Robertson, from Glasgow, who lost his wife to sepsis last year, is petitioning the Scottish Parliament, external to back a national awareness campaign.

Health boards are actively working on reducing sepsis, but some are wary of such an initiative.

One said it could lead to "unnecessary" attendance at GP surgeries.

Image source, ANIMATED HEALTHCARE LTD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Sepsis kills about 44,000 people every year in the UK - more than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined.

It is caused when the body's immune system overreacts to infection.

Mr Robertson's wife Liz died in hospital from sepsis in February last year at the age of 61.

He said: "It still haunts me. In the last week, I would say, of Liz's life she was delirious, she was nauseous, she was constantly vomiting, she didn't know where she lived."

Image source, bbc

Ms Lamont  moves to  PE1621 , externalby James Robertson on Sepsis Awareness, Diagnosis and Treatment and says the government supports a public awareness campaign.

However the government does not support a staff facing campaign, she says.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay says she thinks the petitioners questions on the government's response should be taken forward.

Ms Mackay asks about the consistency amongst health boards and says the committee should write to the government.