Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is essential that any changes to pay phones does not hinder community needs where there is no other means of contacting people.

Mr Greene says payphone usage has dropped by over 90% and that usage has a big part to play in the process.

The Tory MSP says there will be 84 remaining in North Ayrshire but there are still pay phones being removed and that he has been known to use phone boxes when his phone is out of battery or out of range.

Talking about the Adopt a Kiosk scheme he says: "you would not believe what you can fit into a phone box."

Image source, bbc

A total of 947 kiosks will now be scrapped, leaving 3,840 working phone boxes north of the border - down from almost 7,000 in 2003.

Many of the phones which are being removed are in Aberdeenshire (85), Dumfries and Galloway (75) and Fife (97).

BT said it was also in discussions with a number of local communities about the possibility of "adopting" a further 111 kiosks.

More than 155 have already been taken over by local groups in Scotland who use them for schemes such as mini libraries or tiny art galleries.

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Among the 428 payphones that have been saved from the scrap heap are all 46 kiosks earmarked for removal in Argyll and Bute.

The highest phone box in the UK, which sits at 2,000ft at the base of the ski slope in the Cairngorm mountains, has also been saved.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson says BT is willing to engage with those who rely on pay phones most.

Mr Gibson welcomes the decision not to remove any phone boxes on any Scottish island.

He praises the BT adopt a kiosk scheme which allows people to adopt one for £1.

Image source, bbc

Almost one in five public payphones are to be removed from Scotland's streets, BBC Scotland has learned.

BT has agreed to scrap more than 900 phone boxes across the country over the next three years.

The phone company said usage has plummeted by 90% over the last 10 years as more people rely on smart phones.

But campaigners insist they are a vital lifeline for communities in some rural areas of Scotland where mobile phone signal is poor.

BT initially earmarked around 1,500 payphones - almost a third of its estate - for removal as part of a rationalisation drive.

It argued that some of Scotland's phone boxes were so little-used, not one call was made from more than 700 kiosks over the last year.

However after consulting with local councils, the phone company has agreed to retain 428 of the payphones which were under review.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Kenny Gibson says when he was first informed of the decision by BT to remove phone boxes he was concerned.

Mr Gibson says there are many spots where mobile network coverage is poor particularly on the islands.

The SNP MSP says it is undeniable that our relationship with technology has changed drastically.

He says he understands that phone boxes are no longer used on the way they once were.

Mr Gibson uses his motion to raise concern about the reported decision by BT to close 947 payphones across Scotland within the next three years.

The SNP MSP says this will leave just 3,840 working phone boxes in Scotland.

He says these phone boxes represent a lifeline for many people in Scotland, especially for those in rural communities with poor mobile phone coverage.

The Cunninghame North MSP says the closure of these phone boxes could potentially pose serious problems in the case of an emergency.

He encourages the continued promotion of BT’s Adopt a Kiosk scheme, which offers councils and charities the opportunity to adopt their local phone box for just £1 and transform it into an asset for the community as an alternative to removal.

Mr Gibson highlights calls for BT to continue consulting with the people of Scotland to prevent the unnecessary withdrawal of payphones in the communities that need them most.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kenny Gibson will now lead his member's debate entitled 'BT to Remove One-in-five Phone Boxes in Scotland'.

Image source, LUKASSEK, BBC

This afternoon's lunchtime member's debate will be led by SNP MSP Kenny Gibson and is entitled 'BT to Remove One-in-five Phone Boxes in Scotland'.

Social security and equalities ministers will then take the hot seats for portfolio questions.

The Scottish government will then lead a debate on education governance.

After decision time, Labour MSP James Kelly will lead a member's debate on the Charter of Rights for people with dementia and carers.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Committee convener Edward Mountain says there are six MSPs in favour of Peter Chapman's amendment and five against, so the Tory MSP's amendment is agreed to.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says he cannot see why high schools cannot have this in place at the same time as primary schools.

Mr Chapman says the end of 2018 is still 18 months away and he believes this is enough time.

The Tory MSP says he would like to press the amendment.

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SNP MSP Gillian Martin says the implementation dates were decided apon for a number of reasons.

Ms Martin says there must be time to absorb and adapt to new measures.

She says "breaking contracts is something that we don't want to do".

Ms Martin says thee may be contracts up to 2021.

She says she is willing to ask councils specifically.

Mr Rumbles says contracts must obey the law.

Ms Martin says bus contractors have strongly supported the Bill and it would be unfair to change the goalposts.

She calls on Mr Chapman to withdraw his amendment.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle asks if the date set would stop local authorities bringing it in sooner.

Mr Yousaf says that the implementation dates wouldn't stop local authorities doing that.

Green MSP John Finnie says that he would have expected the minister to have the information to hand if this was going to affect contracts already in place.

Mr Finnie says this should not stop laws being made and passed in parliament.

Mr Yousaf says the commencement dates have been described as "practical."

The Transport Minister says he will commit to engage with local authorities to find out if the dates can be brought forward.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Jamie Greene says bringing secondary up to the primary school deadline should not be a problem and says he supports the amendment.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says the timetable has been agreed and accelerating those dates could lead to contracts having to be broken.