MSPs take evidence on the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish government is asked about what action it is taking following the London terrorist attack, during topical questions
At 11am the Scottish Parliament will observe a one minute silence as a mark of respect to those who died and those who have been affected by the incident in London on Saturday night
The Justice Committee leads a debate on its inquiry into the Role and Purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
SNP MSP Ivan McKee leads a member’s debate entitled ‘UK Green Deal, Supporting Aggrieved Householders’
Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks the Scottish government what the impact will be of the planned closure of the police control room in Inverness and its move to Dundee.
Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says there is real suspicion that the government is trying to circumvent information on FOI requests.
Mr Fitzpatrick says the government actively publishes information on FOI requests
Image source, bbcTory MSP Jamie Greene
Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is telling that this has to be brought to the Scottish Parliament to question the transparency of the SNP government.
Mr Greene says a number of journalists signed a letter outlining concerns about the Scottish government's reaction to FOIs.
Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says Scotland has the most open and far reaching freedom of information laws in the UK.
Mr Fitzpatrick says in Scotland in 2016 85% of valid requests received information, whereas in the rest of the UK that was only 63%.
He says the government will continue to work to improve.
Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick
Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says Scotland has the most open FOI request system in the UK and all advice is in the public domain.
Mr Greene asks what the Scottish government will do to raise its game.
Mr Fitzpatrick says consistence is better now than previously and it continues to improve year on year.
He says the number of FOI requests have spiked dramatically but the government is committed to improving response times.
Image source, Getty ImagesJournalists from across Scotland's media have signed an open letter, external raising concerns about the way the Scottish government handles freedom of information (FoI) requests.
It accuses the government of failing to keep records of information that should be available.
And it claims that FoI requests are often screened by special advisers for any potential political damage.
The government said Scotland has the most open FoI laws in the UK.
But it said the "increasing volume and complexity" of some requests can prove time consuming, and has the potential to "seriously impact on the work of government".
Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks the Scottish government what action it takes to comply with freedom of information requests (FOIs).
Image source, bbcJustice Secretary Michael Matheson
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the issue of the number of armed forces is kept under constant review.
Labour MSP Claire Baker says: "Out thoughts are with the victims and their families."
Ms Baker asks what advice is available to people feeling vulnerable.
Mr Matheson says special officers were provided for people returning to Scotland from either Manchester or London following the attack.
The justice secretary says advice was also available for anyone who witnessed these scenes on social media.
Image source, AFPSeven people were killed in the attack in London on Saturday night
Scotland will see a "substantial" increase in the number of armed police on duty in the immediate aftermath of the London attack, the first minister has said.
But Nicola Sturgeon said there was no intelligence of any specific threat to Scotland.
Seven people were killed and at least 48 injured in the attack on Saturday evening.
Three suspects were shot dead by police officers.
The attackers used a white van to hit pedestrians on London Bridge, before getting out and stabbing people in nearby Borough Market at about 22:00 on Saturday.
Police said the men, who were shot dead within eight minutes of the attack starting, were wearing fake bomb vests.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with the attack following a raid on a flat in Barking, east London.
Thirty-six people are in hospital with a "range of injuries" and 21 are in a critical condition, police said.
Tory MSP Douglas Ross
Tory MSP Douglas Ross adds the Scottish Conservatives' condolences and extends thanks to the emergency services.
Mr Ross asks what assistance and support Police Scotland will require should there be a need for a further increase in armed offciers.
Mr Matheson says Police Scotland have been training to increase firearms capability.
The justice secretary says Police Scotland now has the capability to meet the critical security level with firearms officers without support of the military armed forces.
Image source, bbcJustice Secretary Michael Matheson
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people to our country, of various nationalities and faith.
Mr Matheson says it is vital Scotland continues to send a welcoming message.
He says £100m has been spent on tackling inequality and discrimination.
The minister says hate crime has no place in Scotland.
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson
Mr Macpherson says "all of our thoughts are with the victims at this time".
The SNP MSP asks if the government will continue to work with communities.
Mr Matheson says the government and Police Scotland have continued to engage with communities across Scotland.
The justice secretary says Police Scotland are monitoring hate crime.
Mr Macpherson asks what action is being taken to ensure Scotland is a welcoming place.
Image source, bbcJustice Secretary Michael Matheson
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson offers his heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the London terrorist attack.
Mr Matheson says Scottish government officials are in contact with UK government officials to keep the response under review.
He says there is an increase in armed police on duty and forthcoming events have been reviewed in terms of security.
The justice secretary says: "The responsibility to tackle violent extremism is one we all share."
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson asks the Scottish government what action is being taken in Scotland following the recent terrorist attack in London.
The Scottish government will be asked about what action it is taking following the London terrorist attack, during topical questions.
The issues of freedom of information requests and the impact of planned closure of the police control room in Inverness and its move to Dundee will also be raised.
Humanist Society Scotland celebrant Brian Hawkins delivers today's time for reflection.
The Scottish government will be asked about what action it is taking following the London terrorist attack, during topical questions.
Image source, bbcMSPs observe a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the London terror attack
The issues of freedom of information requests and the impact of planned closure of the police control room in Inverness and its move to Dundee will also be raised.
Image source, bbcThe Justice Committee will then lead a debate on its inquiry into the 'Role and Purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service'.
SNP MSP Ivan McKee will then lead a member's debate entitled 'UK Green Deal, Supporting Aggrieved Householders'.
Committee convener Graeme Dey ends the evidence session and moves the committee into private session.
Image source, bbcCircus Mondao animal trainer Carol Macmanus
Rona Brown from the Circus Guild of Great Britain, on behalf of Peter Jolly's Circus and the European Circus Association grossly unfair to classify all circuses the same.
Committee convener Graeme Dey asks if wild animals can be domesticated.
Circus Mondao animal trainer Carol Macmanus says: "Yes, why not."
Ms Macmanus says she has a zebra that is more domesticated than a wild horse she has.
Mr Lyle says he has come across showmen and those people are not Gypsy/Travellers they have their own ethnicity and asks if this bill would be seen as an infringement on the showman's ethnicity.
Rona Brown from the Circus Guild of Great Britain, on behalf of Peter Jolly's Circus and the European Circus Association says "yes".
"It would be an infringement on the worker's rights," she says.
Image source, bbcAssociation of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain chairman Martin Burton
Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain chairman Martin Burton says the bill refers to domesticated animals in the UK, which would cover camels.
Anthony Beckwith says some animals that are wild that are farmed in the UK would not be covered in the Bill.
SNP MSP Richard Lyle says he w as at Blair Drummond Safari at the weekend where there were seals performing and he has seen the penguin parade at Edinburgh Zoo.
Association of Circus Proprietors of Great Britain chairman Martin Burton says once you start banning things it is clear that it will spread.
He says if it is ethically not right to have a wild animal in a circus then it is ethically not right for it to appear at shows, fetes or zoos.