Economy Secretary Keith Brown discusses major transport infrastructure with MSPs
Ministers face questions on health and sport
The Scottish Conservatives lead a debate accusing the justice secretary of a lack of transparency about the chief constable's investigation
The Tories will then call for a pause in the merger of the British Transport Police into Police Scotland
SNP MSP leads a debate on adverse childhood experiences
Image source, bbcThe minister says Mr Lyle will pass Glasgow Airport on his way to Prestwick Airport.
Mr Lyle is adamant: "No I don't, no I don't, no I don't."
Mr Brown concedes he is not sure the route Mr Lyle takes and Mr Mountain brings the debate to a swift close.
SNP MSP John Mason says turnover and usage of Prestwick Airport has increased.
Mr Mason says the loss was £7m which was an improvment.
He asks if there is any likelihood of Prestwick Airport being passed over to the private sector in the short term.
Mr Brown says: "We are willing to listen to any offer from the private sector."
However he says he does not see that happening in the short term.
He says the loss was actually £7.8m but that has to compared to the impact of the closure of the airport.
The minister says there has been substantial improvements at the airport, but he says he can't say when the airport will make aa profit.
The loss-making Ayrshire airport was bought by the Scottish government three years ago for £1.
Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about measures around resilience outwith due diligence.
Keith Brown says the Scottish government attempts to respond any intelligence received on issues as they arise.
In terms of the AWPR, he says a contingency plan was included in the contract to ensure delivery even if one of the providers fail.
Mr Greene queries whether any other projects are at risk.
Transport Scotland's Michelle Rennie says a range of companies continue to be reviewed but there is no specific risk to any project at this time.
Mr Smyth raises concerns abour silt pollution in the Don and Dee rivers.
The Labour MSP says the cabinet secretary had given assurances mitigation was in place and asks how the silt pollution took place.
Mr Brown says following both of those incidents the government has worked with SEPA and the construction firms to protect against futher incidents.
Image source, bbcWaterways were polluted
In December the contractor building the new Aberdeen bypass wasw issued with a £280,000 penalty for polluting two of Scotland's most important salmon rivers, BBC Scotland can reveal.
The Aberdeen Roads consortium was responsible for a series of silt pollution incidents on the rivers Don and Dee along with some tributaries.
The incidents between 2015 and 2017 stopped construction for several weeks.
The money will be distributed among local community groups.
Read more here.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth calls for the NDP funding model to be reconsidered given rule changes, particularly around contracts being outsourced.
The economy secretary confirms the Scottish government is looking at how it can do more to involve more local, smaller businesses in public contracts.
He says there has been no breach of NPD rules but rather a change of classification under the European System of National and Regional Accounts 2010.
Mr Smyth moves onto companies' treatment of their employees.
Keith Brown says the Scottish government cannot block companies from bidding for contracts unless the EU and UK has blacklisted them.
To do so would open the Scottish government up to legal action, he says.
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The Office for National Statistics said it will provide an update on the impact that the collapse of Carillion has had on public sector finances.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt said: "Following the announcement of the insolvency of Carillion PLC,the government, externalhas stated that it will provide the necessary funding required by the Official Receiver to maintain public services. Any impact of these financial interventions on public sector finances will be announced in due course."
It added: "Carillion held approximately 450 contracts with government, representing 38% of Carillion’s 2016 reported revenue."
Image source, bbcMr Brown says the Carillion receivers have been appointed by the UK government.
He says neither the UK nor Scottish government has a direct liine of sight of all the Carillion works.
Transport Scotland's Michelle Rennie says part of Carillion working on the AWPR is not insolvent, but the construction arm is.
SNP MSP Richard Lyle
SNP MSP Richard Lyle asks if the two remaining contractors will take on Carillion's contractors.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown says half of Carillion's staff have so far been taken on by the others.
He is unable to confirm whether the others will be but he thinks it likely given the need to complete the project.
Image source, bbcMr Brown says he cannot be definitive about the AWPR.
The economy secretary says they are still aiming for Spring 2018.
He says we have waited 50 years for this and as soon as he has a definitive date he will give it to the committee.
Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says he is now confused as to when he will be able to use the AWPR.
Tory MSP Peter Chapman asks if it remains the case that Carillion's closure will not impact the delivery time or cost of the AWPR.
Keith Brown confirms this, adding the two remaining contractors have an interest in finishing it as soon as possible.
However, there are issues in the supply chain, he says, for example fleets having been let by Carillion.
Lib Dems MSP Mike Rumbles presses on the completion time.
Mr Brown says he "hesitates to answer" because the member has previous put out a press release "completely misrepresenting what I said".
Image source, bbcTory MSP Peter Chapman asks if the completion date for the AWPR remains May 2018.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown says some roads will be opened earlier than May 2018.
Mr Brown says the contractor have a big incentive to do this and discussions are ongoing.
"We are not able to give a definitive date."
Turning to the Prestwick Airport, the economy secretary says the annual report published in December included positive statistics on turnover and passengers.
Operating losses decreased from the previous year to £8.6m, he confirms.
A sustained effort over a number of years is required to return the airport to profit, he concludes.
Image source, Glasgow Prestwick AirportThe airport has narrowed its annual losses, helped by a strong rise in military aircraft refuelling activity.
Military activities at Prestwick were boosted by a contract in October 2016 with the US Defense Logistics Agency.
Total revenue rose by 18% to £13.6m, according to its accounts.
Image source, Transport ScotlandThe newest section of Scotland's busiest motorway was officially opened by the first minister in August 2017.
The seven-mile link road between Newhouse and Baillieston wascompleted in Apriland opened to traffic then.
It means the entire stretch between Edinburgh and Glasgow is now motorway.
It was part of a £500m M8, M73 and M74 improvements project aimed at tackling congestion problems in central Scotland and cutting journey times by up to 20 minutes.
Image source, Transport ScotlandIn September, the new section of dual carriageway to be completed as part of a £3bn project to upgrade the A9 opened traffic.
Traffic restrictions have been lifted to allow vehicles full access to the 7.5km (4.7 mile) stretch of the route between Kincraig and Dalraddy.
Completion of the work, which cost £35m, also allowed for the 40mph speed limit in place to be lifted.
The overall scheme is to be completed in 2025.
The minister updates the committee on the A9 Dualling, external.
The A9 dualling project aims to dual 80 miles of single carriageway between Perth and Inverness, plus associated upgrades, by 2025.
The project will be completed in 11 sections and is due to cost £3bn.
Work to build the 7.5km section between Kincraig and Dalraddy, the first to be dualled as part of the project, was completed during summer 2017.
Transport Scotland has identified preferred routes for over 36 miles of the 80 miles to be dualled.
Keith Brown says the NPD contract used for the AWPR means work on the project has not stopped, unlike other projects in the UK.
Aberdeen Roads Ltd has advised that Balfour Beatty and Galliford Try will take steps to ensure the improvements can be completed, he confirms.
The Scottish government will work closely with the partnership to ensure delivery of the AWPR and the cabinet secretary agrees to provide the committee with further updates.
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