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The Welsh Assembly banned the use of e-collars in 2010 and imposed a penalty of a fine of up to £20,000 or up to six months imprisonment.

A ban on the use of electric shock collars to train cats and dogs in Wales was upheld by the High Court.

The legislation was by Petsafe Ltd, which makes pet products, and the Electronic Collar Manufacturers Association.

Sitting at the High Court in London, the judge dismissed the challenge and ruled the ban lawful.

The assembly government's ban had attracted support from animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame congratulates Maurice Golden and, indeed, her colleague Ben Macpherson for his parallel motion.

Ms Grahame praises long term campaigners on this issue, like herself, including Kenneth Gibson, Alison Johnstone and Colin Smyth.

She welcomes the government's announcment and says some years ago she led a member's debate calling for a ban on electronic shock collars.

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Ms Grahame gently tells Mr Golden that no Tory signed her motion andt he government was not minded to copy the example of Wales in banning the electronic collars.

She points out the Weslh regulations also relate to cats.

The SNP MSP says she knows the cabinet secretary has a cat and will be sympathetic to considering this.

"I would think of no more of using a shock collar on my lovely and indomitable Mr Smokey, than on myself, though some might think the latter might not be a bad idea."

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The use of electric shock collars on dogs is to be effectively banned in Scotland, the Scottish government has confirmed.

Ministers said in November that they would continue to allow the use of the training devices.

That was despite animal welfare charities warning that the collars can cause unnecessary suffering.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has now announced that the government will go further.

The move follows a campaign by MSPs including Scottish Conservative Maurice Golden and the SNP's Ben Macpherson, as well as animal charities including the Kennel Club, the Scottish SPCA and the Dogs Trust.

Read more.

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Tory MSP Maurice Golden says he is delighted to see the SNP have listened to him and the 20,000 people that signed his petition calling for a ban.

The Scottish Conservatives have led the way on this and the SNP have listened but this is clearly a victim for those who support animal welfare, he says.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks if Mr Golden will put pressure on the UK government to act and Mr Golden says he will address that shortly.

He raises the issue of banning the import and sale of elecric dog collars.

Mr Golden says he has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove to address this.

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Tory MSP Maurice Golden will now lead a debate calling for a complete ban of the use of electric shock dog collars.

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Mr Kidd thanks the government and the presiding officer for their support to the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The SNP MSP highlights the impact on John Swinney of his visit to Auschwitz with 200 school children.

Ms Sturgeon says: "The role of education here is vitally important and can never be overstated."

She says she is deeply moved by the testimony of school children who have visited Auschwitz.

Ms Sturgeon says her visit to Srebrenica deeply moved her.

She says we must make sure the next generation never forgets.

The first miniser says the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day is "The Power of Words".

She quotes Robert Burns' A Man's A Man For A' That: "That Man to Man, the world o'er, Shall brothers be for a' that."

Image source, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust

Holocaust Memorial Day is this Saturday 27 January.

It marks the day when Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated.

Events seek to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

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SNP MSP Bill Kidd asks how the Scottish government will mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The first minister says the Holocaust is a reminder of what bigotry and intolerance can lead to if underchallegned.

She spoke at the national event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day in Glasgow yesterday and she commends the work of the Holocaust Memorial Trust and Interfaith Scotland in hosting the event.

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Labour MSP Neil Bibby asks when the Children's Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital will close, echoing the question of his party leader earlier in proceedings.

The first minister says again the health secretary approved the proposal on the condition that families are worked with on individual treatement plans.

She says community pediatric plans must be in place too.

Mr Bibby says the people of Paisley deserve an honest debate

He accuses Ms Sturgeon of a "calculated and cynical answer" in the TV debate two years ago.

Mr Bibby says the health secretary has twice snubbed the people of Paisley.

Ms Sturgeon does not accept his characterisation, saying Shona Robison met with parents twice before the decision was taken.

The first minister again says the views of parents are hugely important, but ultimately this about providing the best treatment for children.

The views of expert clinicians should not be ignored, she say.s

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Tory MSP Edward Mountain seeks a response to reports that two-thirds of teachers do not feel that they have been sufficiently trained in supporting the mental health needs of pupils.

The first minister agrees every child should have access to emotional support in schools.

Mental health first aid training is currently being delivered by Education Scotland in partnership with NHS Health Scotland.

Mr Mountain says schools across Scotland are "understaffed and overstretched".

He urges the Scottish government to commit to mental health being comprehensively covered in all tacher education.

The first minister agrees to have the education secretary look into this.

Funding for a youth commission on mental health was announced in December, she says.

Money being given to Childline is also highlighted.

She suggests that member should not support proposals that would remove £500m for public services in the upcoming budget, if he believes schools are overstretched.

Image source, SNS

The number of women going to cervical screenings in Scotland has risen from last year's 10-year low, but is still falling short of a government target.

NHS figures, external, published in September, found that as of 31 March, 73.4% of eligible women attended screenings compared to 69.2% in 2016 and 70.4% in 2015.

The Health Improvement Scotland target is for 80% to attend screenings.

The second phase of an NHS campaign to encourage more women to have a smear test is due to start in October.

Young women are avoiding getting smear tests because they are embarrassed by the look and smell of their pubic areas, a survey suggests.

The charity Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust surveyed 2,017 British women.

A third said embarrassment caused them to delay getting a smear test, which can prevent 75% of cervical cancers.

The charity said cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35,, external yet almost two-thirds of those surveyed weren't aware they're most at risk.

Read more.

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SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks what steps the Scottish government is taking to increase the uptake of screening for early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Ms Sturgeon highlights the benefits of screening and the investment in the programme.

She praises Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and says cervical cancer is now preventable.

Mr Gibson says a quarter of 25 - 64 year olds don't take up the smear tests due to embarrassment.

The first minister says she agrees there is a stigma and barriers to cervical smear tests being accessed.

"As a woman I not only understand those concerns, I identify with them," she says.

"We are investing in a high profile awareness raising campaign."

Cervical smear tests are a matter of life and death she says.

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Tory MSP Miles Briggs says there are concerns about the impact of the new GP contract on rural practices.

Mr Briggs suggests the first minister should pause the contract.

Last week the overwhelming majority of GPS voted to accept the contract, replies Ms Sturgeon.

The first minister says the BMA view should be listened to.

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The British Medical Association has decided to implement the proposed new GP contract in Scotland.

It follows strong backing in a poll of family doctors which found 71.5% in favour of the new deal.

BMA Scotland said it would reduce workload and improve recruitment, although many rural doctors raised concerns about income and expenses.

The Scottish government described it as the biggest reform of GP services in Scotland in more than a decade.

Read more.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale asks about funding for the Scottish Sports Association, urging the first minister to reverse a decision to withdraw funding.

Ms Sturgeon confirms Sports Minister Aileen Campbell met with the SSA this week to discuss its future.

She says the government will continue to take these deliberations forward and also points to an increase in funding for sportscotland of £2m and plans to underwrite a shortfall from lottery funding.