The Social Security Committee takes evidence on the Social Security Bill from charities
Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition party leaders and MSPs during first minister's questions
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay delivers a ministerial statement on Air Departure Tax
The Scottish government delivers a ministerial statement on Scottish City Region Deals
MSPs debate the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses Bill before voting on its general principles at decision time
Image source, PAThat brings our coverage of the Scottish Parliament on 5 October 2017 to a close.
The Parliament is now in recess and we will be back on Tuesday 24 October 2017.
We will see you then.
Image source, bbcMSPs unanimously back the general principles of the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill, external.
Image source, bbcMs Cunningham says the use of the word circus is in legislation already in the UK.
The environment minister says ethical arguments are better than welfare arguments because they veer across the board.
She says the ethical arguments for a ban are valid.
Ms Cunningham says she is advised that taxonomy is not straightforward and that people make a career out of the scientific research in it.
The environment secretary says if an animal is not on the list then it may lead to that animal being used.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell intervenes to ask if the government could work with those working in taxonomy to create a list.
Ms Cunningham says there could be a list with every wild animal on it but there will always be some that "we are not aware of".
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Image source, bbcEnvironment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says this is a simple focused Bill.
Ms Cunningham says the legislation will not interfere with the ownership, keeping or transport of wild animals in a travelling circus, so long as the animals are not performing or being displayed.
She says there is a strong and clear mandate for the ban of wild animals performing in a travelling circus.
Ms Cunningham defends the definitions in the Bill.
Mr Carson says a cohesive and well-balanced piece of legislation would make more sense.
"This current draft would be a paradise for lawyers," he says.
The Tory MSP says the vague nature of the definition on wild animals does not help the Bill and he would join others in calling for a list to be included.
Image source, bbcTory MSP Finlay Carson
Tory MSP Finlay Carson says his party supports the general principles of the Bill and the proposed ban.
Mr Carson says he hopes the government will take on board the concerns expressed about the legislation.
He asks: "Why the rush?"
As no travelling circuses with wild animals have been in Scotland for quite some time he asks why there was a need push this through so quickly.
Ms Beamish says a list of animals, at least in secondary legislation, which can be amended as time goes on would be beneficial.
The Labour MSP says her party supports the principles of the Bill.
Image source, bbcLabour MSP Claudia Beamish
Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says: "We should all work together to sharpen this Bill."
Ms Beamish says banning the use of wild animals in travelling circuses is progressive.
SNP MSP Kate Forbes says there continues to be unanimity on the principles of this Bill.
Ms Forbes says the government conducted a public consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in early 2014.
The SNP MSP says it is very important that this Bill will not affect those who do not keep wild animals and are not defined as circuses.
Image source, bbcTory MSP John Scott
Tory MSP John Scott says there are no wild animals in travelling circuses in Scotland now or in the forseeable future.
Mr Scott says the case for a ban is much easier to make on welfare grounds.
SNP MSP Angus MacDonald says in March 2012 the UK government said it would bring forward legislation banning wild animals in circuses but so far no Bill has been forthcoming.
Mr MacDonald says the committee is of the view that enforcement powers in the Bill could go further.
The SNP MSP says the minister told the committee that ministers can appoint their own inspectors if local authorities are not enforcing the legislation.
Image source, bbcLib Dem MSP Liam McArthur
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says his party will gladly support the general principles of the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Scotland) Bill this evening.
Mr McArthur says there is room and considerable scope for improvement.
Like many before him, Mr McArthur calls for better definitions in the legislation.
He says: "We are opening up a paradise for lawyers".
Image source, bbcRona Brown from the Circus Guild of Great Britain
In June Rona Brown from the Circus Guild of Great Britain, on behalf of Peter Jolly's Circus and the European Circus Association told the Environment Committee "we know right from wrong".
Ms Brown says bad people are nasty all round but Peter Jolly Circus has been operating for some time and the family are involved in the business.
She says "their beloved animals" are what they live for.
Ms Brown says if you ban wild animals in circuses in Scotland it will "create a domino affect".
"What's wrong with entertainment?" She asks, adding that if the inspections prove that the animals are being treated well then "why not?"
Green MSP Mark Ruskell says banning wild animals in circuses is absolutely the right thing to do and his party will back the Bill at stage one.
Mr Ruskell says it is long needed and long overdue.
The Green MSP says the Bill causes a bit of a headache by its poor drafting.
He says the lack of definition of a circus is concerning.
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Image source, bbcMahatma Gandhi is quoted by Labour MSP Colin Smyth
Labour MSP Colin Smyth says this week would have been the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi why famously said: "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Mr Smyth says this Bill is a positive step in relegating animal cruelty in circuses to the history books.
He calls for a definition of which animals are being targeted in the Bill.