Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell asks if Mr Matheson will support the abandonment of police station closures such as the facility in Larkhall.

Mr Matheson says the police state has built up over 100 years and the police are reviewing it to make sure the facilities are fit for purpose.

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In November we reported the future of dozens of police stations across Scotland was under threat.

Police Scotland drew up a list of buildings in 58 locations which could be closed as part of a wide-ranging estate review.

Properties in Carnoustie, Leith, Hawick, Oban, Port Glasgow, Ayr and Larkhall were among those under review.

The force said it needed "modern, flexible buildings which are fit for the future".

The list of buildings which "do not match policing requirements" includes some which are no longer routinely used by officers.

Read more here.

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Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says the estates strategy is the responsibility of Police Scotland with oversight from the SPA.

Mr Leonard asks Mr Matheson to confirm Shotts police station has been removed from the list for closure.

Mr Matheson says this is still being reviewed and the police would like someone else come into the facility in Shotts because it is too big.

Labour MSP Richard Leonard asks what recent discussions the government has had with Police Scotland regarding its estates strategy.

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We now move to general questions.

Labour MSP Mary Fee asks if a teacher would know enough about various faiths to stand up in front of a school and teach each faith.

She asks if government should take a more active role in promoting interfaith groups.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer from the Church of Scotland says "yes" he does thinks so and that there is an opportunity to build relationships and learn from one another.

Committee convener Christina McKelvie thanks the witnesses and ends the evidence session.

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Scottish Council of Jewish Communities youth worker Brittany Ritell says she agrees with Ms Dean and when Judaism is discussed Jewish pupils feel singled out.

Ms Ritell says it is not the greatest thing to single pupils out like that.

She says interfaith assemblies are positive practice and are a great model.

Samena Dean says there needs to be more recognition of Islamophobia.

Ms Dean says instances of bullying are not being recognised by teachers or headteachers or that they are certainly not being logged.

She says that she conducted her survey because she is a mum and that her daughter returned from school crying because she was told she belonged to ISIS.

Samena Dean, the author of Islamophobia in Edinburgh Schools, says in terms of learning about other religions she says 57 children she spoke to were happy to hear Islam talked about in school, but the rest of the 100 were not.

That is because they were worried, because Islam has been falsely linked with terrorism, she says.

The children were "really scared and worried" of sitting though a lesson about Islam because they were worried about what would happen to them afterwards.

She says over 46 out of the 100 were scared of going to school the day after an atrocious terrorist attack.

Rev Dr Richard Frazer from the Church of Scotland says "we should not be afraid of diversity".

Rev Fraser says "we are on a journey" of tolerance and respect.

He says it is important to put policies in place to support that journey

In its submission to the committee the Church of Scotland said:

" Our hope is that in its work the committee would not just seek to do more to eliminate instances of bullying and harassment within schools but would positively seek to build an inclusive and positive educational environment within Scotland.

"In a series of informal conversations three young adults, who are active members of the Church of Scotland spoke about bullying and harassment in schools.

"These views are personal to the young people involved and do not represent a formal Church position.

"The young adults spoke about their experiences, or those of their friends, of feeling bullied or harassed during general conversation as a result of their faith."

Read more of the submission here, external.

Tim Farron has said he is to step down as leader of the Liberal Democrats, less than a week after the election.

In a statement, he said he was "torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader".

He said he should have dealt "more wisely" with questions relating to his faith during the election campaign, including his views on gay sex.

Possible successors include former ministers Sir Vince Cable, Jo Swinson, Sir Ed Davey and Norman Lamb.

Church leaders praised Mr Farron. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he was "honourable and decent".

The acting Bishop of London, Pete Broadbent, said "no-one should have to choose between their faith and politics" and it was "deeply regrettable" he felt the need to quit.

Read more here.

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Rev Dr Richard Frazer from the Church of Scotland says in light of what happened to Tim Farron this is really interesting.

Rev Frazer says the church has LGBTI people and same sex couples in the Church of Scotland and he asks how best to deal with that.

He says it is about taking an approach that it is about openness to learning and people have taken on board some of the evidence and cultural shifts.

Rev Frazer stresses the importance of understanding.

Mr Horan says there is a job to be done to make sure people do understand the Catholic faith and Catholic values.

He says that the Catholic church would never want that to threaten the well-being of children.

Mr Horan says "we believe in the inherent dignity of each and every person" and he accepts that some of the values are at odds with other beliefs in society.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says the information about the ethos and culture at Kirkcaldy High School should be rolled out across the whole of Scotland and it is welcoming of all faiths.

Anthony Horan from Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland says the Catholic community believes in the inherent value of every human being and every child should feel included and there should be no exclusion.

In terms of Kirkcaldy High School, there are always things that can be learned he says.

Ms Fee says evidence suggests Catholic schools "sweep everything under the carpet" and asks Anthony Horan for his opinion on that.

Anthony Horan from Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland says he takes the comment on board and that Catholic schools do have a job to do.

Mr Horan says teachers are being equipped to make sure that they are aware of bullying across a range of characteristics.

He says there are bullying strategies in place but these need to constantly be updated and reviewed as new issued arise.

Mr Horan says recording instances of bullying and monitoring is important.

Image source, Church of Scotland

From the Church of Scotland website, external:

"The vision of The Church of Scotland is to be a church which seeks to inspire the people of Scotland and beyond with the Good News of Jesus Christ through enthusiastic worshiping, witnessing, nurturing and serving communities.

"The Church of Scotland is one of the largest organisations in the country. We have over 350,000 members, with more regularly involved in local congregations and our work. Within the organisation, we have around 800 ministers serving in parishes and chaplaincies, supported by more than 1500 professional and administrative staff. Most of our parishes are in Scotland, but there are also churches in England, Europe and overseas.

"The Church of Scotland works with communities worldwide. At the heart of our work to achieve these aims is one of the largest organisations in Scotland that has a pivotal role in Scottish society and indeed religion throughout the world."