Sturgeon makes gay convictions apology

Summary

The Justice Committee takes evidence on the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill
SNP MSP Ruth Maguire asks about the CPAG report 'The Austerity Generation' during topical questions
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issues an apology to all those convicted of same-sex activity that is now legal.
MSPs will then debate the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Bill
Labour MSP Daniel Johnson leads a member’s debate marking Respect for Shopworkers Week

Live Reporting

Craig Hutchison and Andrew Southwick

How to preside...........from earlier this afternoonpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Postpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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'I don't like the idea of parliament giving up it's powers to ministers at the best of times'published at 16:04 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles
Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says his party welcomes the Forestry and Land Management Bill.
Mr Rumbles also says he also welcomes the new tree planting targets.
Like many MSPs Mr Rumbles says the main concerns about the Bill are the separating of the functions of the Forestry Commission and the transfer of compulsory purchase to ministers.
He says: "I don't like the idea of parliament giving up it's powers to ministers at the best of times."
Background: Backlash over tree threat letterpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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A group that represents climbers and hill walkers experienced a backlash from its members over its objections to new forestry targets last February.
Mountaineering Scotland wrote a joint letter with the Scottish Gamekeepers Association.
It asked for upland moors to be protected from commercial tree-planting.
The letter to the environment secretary was prompted by the Scottish government's draft Climate Change Plan.
It sets a target of increasing forest cover from 17% to 25% of the land mass by 2050.
Following the letter, many Mountaineering Scotland members have said they support the planting of native species and describe the moorland as a man-made habitat.
Others have questioned the group's association with gamekeepers.
Read more here.
Postpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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'Funds raised should be re-invested'published at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Green MSP John Finnie
Green MSP John Finnie says small businesses are grateful for the technical support, help and advice they get from the Forestry Commission.
Mr Finnies says they are concerned "it will be submerged into Victoria Quay."
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing stand to give re-assurance that should not happen.
Postpublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Background: Tree planting 'threatening' Scotland's grand vistaspublished at 15:53 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Mountaineering Scotland said people were not interested in walking for miles through woodland
Scotland's "dramatic open views and vistas" could be threatened by plans to increase woodland cover, according to mountaineers and gamekeepers.
Mountaineering Scotland and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association have jointly written to Scotland's environment secretary.
The Scottish government wants woodland cover to go from 17% to 25% by 2050.
It said there would be "appropriate consideration of Scotland's distinctive upland landscapes."
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The Scottish government has committed to increasing the amount of woodland in Scotland
A commitment to plant 10,000 extra hectares of trees between now and 2022 was made in the government's draft Climate Plan.
But, in an unusual alliance, Mountaineering Scotland and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA), said they were concerned about the impact of the Scottish government's forestry targets on wild moorland.
Read more here.
'We emphasise a necessity for cross border co-operation'published at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Labour MSP Claudia Beamish
Postpublished at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Postpublished at 15:30 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Postpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson gets the forestrybill# motoringpublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Postpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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'At the moment there are forests that are landlocked and it is impossible to harvest the trees'published at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
Postpublished at 15:13 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Labour MSP highlights calls for an advisory group for the forestry industrypublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Labour MSP Rhoda Grant
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says she is glad the minister will further consider the changes to the functions of the Forestry Commission.
Ms Grant says it would be useful if Mr Ewing could ensure foresters have influence in the new body.
She says there were also calls for an advisory group for the industry and communities.
The Labur MSP says the organisation should be as close to those who work with it and use it as possible.
Postpublished at 15:11 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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Postpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
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'It's essential that we work together within the UK'published at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 November 2017
Conservative MSP Peter Chapman says "it's essential that we work together within the UK to ensure the health of our trees.
"The committee recommends strengthening cross border provision to increase research.
"The case has not been made for an expansion of the compulsory purchase order in the 1967 Act.
"We welcome this bill, but it still requires more work before it is fit for purpose."