The Local Government Committee takes evidence from Housing Minister Kevin Stewart on building and fire regulations and then on homelessness
MSPs quiz education ministers during portfolio questions
The Scottish government gives a ministerial statement on air quality
MSPs debate Paisley's 2021 UK City of Culture and Dundee's 2023 European Capital of Culture bids
SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth leads a debate on the Levenmouth Rail Link
Image source, Borders RailwaySNP MSP Jenny Gilruth uses her motion to highlight the strong support that the Levenmouth Rail Campaign has achieved.
Ms Gilruth says this has been demonstrated by a petition, that has been signed by over 12,500 residents, which calls for the re-opening of the rail link from Thornton to Leven.
Here is SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth's motion.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentThe motion is agreed to unanimously.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentWe now move to decision time.
Mr Fitzpatrick says anyone who asks why money is being spent on culture only need to look at what the European City of Culture did for Glasgow in 1990.
The parliamentary business manager says he is really pleased that the motion will pass unanimously.
Mr Fitzpatrick says there has been support right across the political spectrum in boosting Dundee's culture such as work on the waterfront plan.
"We have managed to put the politics aside to make sure we are all doing our best for Dundee."
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay intervenes to say that if successful the bids will be of benefit to Scotland.
Mr Fitzpatrick says this is an important point and the connections across the UK and Europe should be kept and strengthened by a winning bid.
Parliamentary Business Manager Joe Fitzpatrick says he is delighted to hear cross party support for both bids.
Mr Fitzpatrick, who is a member for Dundee City West, says the tributes to the bid teams have been very well made and the teams have worked hard.
The parliamentary business manager says it is remarkable what has happened to Dundee and both Paisley and Dundee are similar.
Hollywood star Gerard Butler hit the big time with 300, a fictionalised retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae.
The Paisley actor has since starred in numerous big budget blockbusters such as Olympus Has Fallen and the Bounty Hunter, with Jennifer Aniston.
He is also the voice of Stoick the Vast, the great chieftain in the How to Train Your Dragon movies.
Mr Golden says it was Paisley's own Paulo Nutini who spoke of the town's beauty and heritage.
The Tory MSP says, while Paisley has Gerard Butler, Dundee has Brian Taylor.
He says "there is more that unites us than divides us," on these bids.
Multi-million selling singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini is Paisley's most successful current pop star.
In the decade since his first hit single, the 28-year-old has racked up three huge albums and success around the world.
His father runs a fish and chip shop on the town's New Street.
Nutini's talent was spotted when he played an impromptu set at a concert organised for David Sneddon, the Paisley-born winner of the BBC talent show Fame Academy.
Tory MSP Maurice Golden says it is important that everyone gives support to Paisley and Dundee.
Mr Golden says the world would be poorer without Dundee's cultural bids and it deserves to win.
The Tory MSP says he is willing to do whatever he can to support the bid.
He says it is a great honour, as a West of Scotland MSP, to offer his support to Paisley.
Paisley deserves and needs this award, he says.
Mr Macdonald says this process is about demonstrating to people that Paisley and Dundee have so many attributes.
The Labour MSP says Paisley and Dundee are representing Scotland and he knows both will have the support of everyone in the bids.
Image source, Getty ImagesA fiery celebration opened Polish city Wroclaw's year as 2016 Capital of Culture
A contest for British cities wishing to become European Capital of Culture 2023 was launched by the government in December.
Leeds, Dundee and Milton Keynes all declared their interest in the title, which two European cities share every year.
The UK was already lined up to host in 2023 before the country voted to leave the European Union in June.
It is not yet known whether the EU will proceed with letting the UK host after Article 50 has been triggered.
However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's announcement suggests it is proceeding under the assumption that a UK city will host the event in 2023.
The building hosted last year's first Dundee Design Festival
An £18m project to regenerate a former Dundee printing works into a cultural and creative centre was launched in March.
DC Thomson's West Ward Works produced five million books and annuals a year in the 1960s and 70s.
The 200,000 sq ft building, which closed in 2010, was revived for last year's inaugural four-day Dundee Design Festival.
A charitable trust will be established to develop the building and explore possible uses for the space.
Image source, DC THOMSON & CO LTD.The printing works produced five million books a year in its heyday
Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald says "sometimes we have to agree to agree," and that clearly is the case today.
Mr Macdonald says Glasgow and Liverpool are previous holders of the European Capital of Culture title.
The Labour MSP says Dundee must make the most of the economic benefits should it win the award in 2023.
He says the judges come from around the EU and progressing will be dependent on the submissions the cities involved put forward.
Image source, NEIL SLORANCEA short story was given to primary school pupils in March to inspire them to help shape plans for Paisley's bid to be UK City of Culture 2021.
Grace's Big Idea, written by Ross Mackenzie and illustrated by Neil Slorance, explains what the bid hopes to achieve.
It includes a section encouraging children to submit their own idea.
Paisley 2021 bid director Jean Cameron said the plan was to ensure residents' voices were included in the bid.
Ms Cameron said: "From the start of Paisley's bid we said it would be by the people of Paisley for the people of Paisley."
A copy of the book was given to each of the 14,000 primary pupils in Renfrewshire.
Image source, PAISLEY 2021Author Ross Mackenzie with St Catherine's Primary pupils
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Image source, SUPPLIEDTheresa Blegvad, whose city is hosting the 2017 European Capital of Culture, addressed the Dundee conference
Dundee's bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023 was the focus of a conference in the city in March.
About 150 delegates attended the event, including Theresa Blegvad, culture convener of Aarhus in Denmark, the 2017 title holder.
Dundee, Leeds, and Milton Keynes have declared interest in the title, which two European cities share every year.
The UK was already lined up to host in 2023 before the country voted to leave the European Union last June.
It is not yet known whether the EU will let the UK host now that Article 50 has been triggered.
Image source, Renfrewshire CouncilAs 19th Century Tory prime minister Benjamin Disraeli once warned: "Keep your eye on Paisley."
Here are 10 reasons Paisley has made its mark on the culture of Scotland, the UK and the world.