Image source, PA

That is all from Thursday 16 November's Holyrood Live.

Please join us again on Tuesday.

Have a pleasant weekend

The Parliament will take decisions on business considered at today's meeting of the Parliament.

Veterans Minister Keith Brown praises the work of Veterans Commissioner Eric Fraser.

He also offers praise for the work of Women Enterpirse Scotland and Recruitment for Spouses

The veterans minister also says he has visited personally to see the work of Horseback UK

Mr Brown says: "We will take forward our engagement on employability."

He says it is not just about getting veterans back into work, but into the type of work their skills and experiences deserve.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says his party will support the government's motion for this debate.

Mr Kerr says there is a need to tap into the huge skills set of veterans.

He says statistically veterans are no different from the population at large.

The Tory MSP says there are at least 320 veterans charities in Scotland.

Image source, bbc

Mr Kerr highlights Wings for Warriors, external and Horseback UK , externalfounded by an ex-marine Jock Hutchison.

The MSP says he visited Horseback UK in the summer and saw first hand what the charity did with veterans.

He says those in the chamber will find out more on 7 February when he has a member's debate and hosts Horseback UK.

Labour MSP Mark Griffin spent time in the Territorial Army.

He says he went through the training but was not deployed, and says "I can not imagine the intesity and commitment those who have must go through."

Image source, Veterans Scotland

Veterans Scotland decribe themselves as "aiming to enhance the welfare of the veterans community in Scotland by acting as the prime vehicle for: joint working between its member charities; for the dissemination of information to its members and the coordination of joint approaches to UK; Scottish Government; Local Authorities and other organisations whose business is of benefit to veterans."

Visit the website here , external

Image source, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION INDUSTRIES

A new manufacturing centre staffed by Scottish veterans is to open next year.

Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) will produce rail and road signs, recycle wooden products, and provide print and mail services.

SBMC will also provide welfare support and accommodation at the headquarters of the Erskine charity in Renfrewshire.

The project was inspired by a 2015 study which found ex-service personnel are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as civilians.

Read more here.

The future of a support service described as a lifeline for hundreds of armed forces veterans is the focus of serious concern due to funding doubts, BBC Scotland learned in July.

Veterans First Point (V1P) centres were set up in Scotland with money gathered from UK banks in Libor fines for rigging the benchmark interest rate.

That funding is about to run out.

Local health boards now face having to pick up costs, with matched support from the Scottish government.

However there are no guarantees of long-term funding.

Read more here

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says his party will support the government motion and the Tory amendment.

Mr Rumbles says the funding for Veterans' First Point Centres has run out and the Grampian centre has closed.

The Lib Dem MSP says he lays the responsibility for the closure of centres squarely at the feet of ministers, particularly health ministers.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford says surely there is also a role for the UK government to get funding into the organisations.

Mr Rumbles says veterans in Grampian have to go to the Veterans' First Point Centre in NHS Tayside.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame brings to the attention of the chamber the issues of the partners of serving veterans.

She says: "Finding employment for military wives and partners is difficult due to the nature of military life.

"Often they are alone with children for months on end and away from family.

"Their ambitions often have to take second place."

Image source, Getty Images

Complaints about poor quality housing for soldiers in Scotland and Northern Ireland increased by 43% in one year, according to figures released in August.

Data obtained by BBC Scotland reveals that 621 grievances were raised in 2016, up from 433 in 2015.

They highlighted concerns about duration of works, communication and missed appointments, among others.

But Ministry of Defence contractor CarillionAmey said the number of complaints had fallen sharply in 2017.

Read more here

SNP MSP Graeme Dey says he is happy the Scottish government is investing in mental health services, and talks passionately about combat stress.

He says of a veteran's commissioner's report, and points to Eric Fraser's latest report on health and well being: "He seeks to correct the misconception that veteran's health is worse than that of the general population, but in some instances they have different needs."

Eight soldiers on ceremonial duty were killed in two IRA bomb blasts in central London on 20 July 1982.

The first blast, in Hyde Park, killed two soldiers and injured 23 others and the second explosion, in Regents Park, less than two hours later killed six soldiers instantly and injured a further 24 people.

The IRA admitted carrying out the attacks in a statement echoing Margaret Thatcher's declaration of war on Argentina over the disputed Falklands.

It repeated her phrase about the right of self-determination and continued: "The Irish people have sovereign and national rights which no task or occupational force can put down."

In the first incident a nail bomb in a blue Austin car was detonated as members of the Household Cavalry made their way to the changing of the guard from their barracks in Knightsbridge.

Seven horses were killed or so badly maimed they had to be destroyed.

Read more here

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Edward Mountain says he is a veteran and his son is a serving soldier.

Mr Mountain says all veterans regularly remember the actions of friends and colleagues.

He says every Remembrance Day he remembers his friends and comrades who lost their lives in London in 1982.

Mr Mountain tells the story of a former soldier who is being charged many years after an incident in Northern Ireland.

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford talks about the impact listening to his grandfather's stories of serving in the army had on him as a child.

Talking about veterans now leaving the service, he says: "For those leaving the armed forces it can be a real challenge."