SNP MSP Stuart McMillan refers to the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held in Australia next month.

He wishes Team Scotland the best of luck.

He notes this year's Commonwealth Day theme is 'Towards a Common Future'.

The commitment to investing in the developing of young people in the Commonwealth charter is similar in sentiment to this year's themed year in Scotland, the Year of Young People, the member says.

"I would like to wish all 53 nations and territories a very happy Commonwealth Day."

Image source, The Commonwealth

Commonwealth Day 2018 took place on Monday 12 March.

Her Majesty the Queen attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the occasion, which also featured a procession of Commonwealth flags, with a young flag bearer representing each of the 53 nations of the Commonwealth.

This year Commonwealth Day precedes the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, external, when the leaders of the independent member countries will meet to address key global challenges and agree how to work together for the welfare and common good of its 2.4 billion citizens.

The two events are joined by the same theme ‘Towards a Common Future’.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan begins a debate marking Commonwealth Day 2018.

His motion highlights some success in increasing female representation in Commonwealth legislatures and notes the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings.

Image source, Scottish parliament

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan will lead a members' business debate marking Commonwealth Day 2018 at 1.15pm.

MSPs will then quiz health and sport ministers during portfolio questions.

Image source, BBC/SPL

Scottish Labour then lead a debate on procurement, calling for an urgent review of how goods, services and construction projects are delivered in Scotland.

A debate titled "incinerators, public health and planning in Scotland" with Labour MSP Monica Lennon follows.

Image source, BBC/PA

And of course, at 6.30pm we return to the EU Continuity Bill at stage 2, taking the last of the amendments.

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Committee convener Bruce Crawford suspends the committee until 6.30pm which means another late night with the EU Scrutiny Bill at Stage 2.

Mr Greer says he is happy to make the commitment to the minister and work on amendments at Stage 3.

Amendment 174 is agreed to with 6 MSPs backing it and with 5 SNP abstentions.

Brexit Minister Michael Russell says he will not oppose Mr Greer's amendments, though adds they do require some changes.

He suggests the 15-days issue is "problematic" due to the limits of parliament itself, but adds it is an issue that can be addressed.

The minister offers to work with Mr Greer to make appropriate changes going forward.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Ross Greer says his amendments are about asserting the power of parliament over government.

Image source, SP

The ammendment would mean ministers have to lay regulations as a draft before the relevant committee.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby says he backs these amendments and gains praise from his boss Patrick Harvie.

Putting those votes into plain English......

The EU Continuity Bill originally included the power for ministers to make regulations so Scots law can keep pace with EU law after Brexit for up to five years, with the opportunity to extend by a further five years and five years again after that.

Now, the initial five year period has been reduced to three years (a move supported by all opposition members but not the Scottish government).

The first extension period has been limited to one year, again without the support of the Scottish government which instead wanted a limit of three years.

The second extension period has also been limited to one year, despite the Scottish government seeking a limit of two years.

Image source, bbc

The committee now votes on Murdo Fraser's amendments 164 which is rejected.

His amendment 165 is agreed to however, reducing time for Wbroad powers" to five years to three years.

Laboru MSP James Kelly's amendment 30 is not agreed to.

Brexit Minister does not move his amendment 166.

Murdo Fraser's 168 is not moved due to the minister's comments and the "expectation of satisfaction down the line".

Satisfaction is duly deliered with amendment 169 being unanimously agreed to.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott's amendment 31 and 32 are also agreed to. As is amendment 33, without SNP backing.

Amendment 35 from Labour MSP Neil Findlay, calling for Section 13 to be left out completely, is defeated six votes to five.

Image source, bbc

A series of Tory amendments are not moved, having heard from the minister.

Finally Donald Cameron's amendment 161 is voted down.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott sees his amendment 24 agreed to unanimously.

However his amendment 25 is not agreed to.

26 in the name of Mr Scott is unanimously agreed to.

The Shetland MSP sees his amendment 27 not agreed to with our first abstentions! Two from Labour.

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Green MSP Patrick Harvie says this is a "hideously complicated set of decisions that we are being asked to make".

Mr Harvie jokes Murdo Fraser would not like to see this decided by STV as much as he would.

He says a balance has to be struck and says section 13 is regrettably necessary.

The Green MSP says these exceptional powers need to be constrained.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart explains his amendment means ministers would only be able to extend the regulation-making power for one year and only then in consultation with parliament.

Labour MSP Neil Bibby says he has "grave reservations" about section 13 and does not believe it should be passed, speaking to colleague Neil Findlay's amendment which seeks to remove it entirely.

However, if it does pass, he says checks and balances must be built into this legislation to promote transparency and scrutiny.

"We want to ensure there is no power grab from this parliament to Scottish ministers and as it stands there is a power grab."

Mr Russell says he understands the points Donald Cameron and Tavish Scott make in their amendments.

However the Brexit minister says the provision on keeping pace with EU law is sunsetted.

He says his amendment 166 clarifies the sunset provision.

Image source, BBC/PA/Getty images

The minister says he will discuss changes to the sunset provision, changes to scrutiny and the reporting requirement.

Mr Russell says he will select two amendments from Murdo Fraser's menu and says he will support two of his amendment 169 and 173 and says he will not move his own amendment 166.

If this is so voted for it will mean an initial five years for the initial period of pace keeping powers and then a further three year period and finally a two year period.

Brexit Minister Michael Russell says he will accept some changes to the operation of section 13 and will work with others to amend it further where more work is needed.

Scrutiny and restraint on the use of powers must be balanced against the need for regulatory alignment, states the minister.

On the difference between appropriate and operable, Mr Russell argues it would not make sense to align with EU law inappropriately even if technically operable.

"The government is listening on section 13 and on the intention behind Mr Simpson's amendment, we agree."

The minister extends an offer the Mr Simpson to adapt his amendments to make it work.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP James Kelly moves his amendments and the amendments in the name of Neil Findlay.

These relate to the extension of regulations power post-Brexit day, which is one of the most problematic areas, he says.

Mr Kelly says it seems to him that Mr Russell is using the Bill to enhance the powers of the Scottish government.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says his amendments seek to reduce the period after exit day that ministers can make regulations in.

Currently, the Bill says ministers can make regulations for up to five years, with the option to extend the period by five more years and five more again.

MSPs have lodged several amendment on this, reducing it to one, two, three and four years.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Mr Fraser says his preferred option would be the smallest timescale possible - Mr Tavish's amendment to reduce it to one year.

However, he is willing to accept any of the others.

Other similar amendments relate to limiting the extension periods, which again Mr Fraser backs to smallest time frame.