Image source, Sinofortone

In March 2017, Scottish Economy Minister Keith Brown apologised over a collapsed investment pact with two Chinese firms, saying he takes "full responsibility".

The Lib Dems had sought to have Mr Brown formally censured at Holyrood over the deal, which the first minister signed with the companies in 2016.

Concerns were raised by opposition parties about the human rights records and credibility of the firms.

MSPs voted against censuring Mr Brown after he apologised in the chamber.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SinoFortone and China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group (CR3) at her official Bute House residence in March 2016. It was said to be worth up to £10bn.

Opposition parties raised questions about the firms, after reports China Railway Group had been named in an Amnesty International report on human rights abuses, and had been blacklisted by Norway's national oil fund. The credibility of SinoFortone, external also came under scrutiny,

Read more here.

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Scottish Lib Dems leader Willie Rennie says next month the first minister is off to China for the first time since the so-called "Scottish shambles".

Mr Rennie asks where the new human rights process promised by the government is.

Ms Sturgeon sayss her trip to China will promote Scotland and the Scottish economy but won't be mentioning Willie Rennie.

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Mr Harvie says it is impossible for the low emission zone to succeed on the timescale being set out by Glasgow City Council.

The Scottish Greens co-convener asks if the first minister understands the concerns being expressed.

Ms Sturgeon says she expects discussion and debate to continue around this issue.

She says Scotland will be established as one of the leading countries in tackling climate change.;

The first minister says the Glasgow low emission zone encorporates all vehicles.

Image source, Getty Images

The zone will be enforced at 23:59 on Hogmanay as part of the SNP's election commitment to introduce Scotland's first low emissions zone by 2018.

Friends of the Earth Scotland said it falls short of the SNP's pledge to create a low emissions zone by 2018.

The plan aims to see cuts to bus emissions phased in over 5 years - but with the rules only applying to one in five buses by the end of this year and no timetable in place to limit pollution from cars, vans and lorries, there has been criticism of the scheme.

FoE Scotland said this plan failed to deliver the clean air that was legally required in the city, and would breach national and local commitments from the SNP.

The charity has labelled it a "no ambition zone".

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Plans for Scotland's first low emissions zone will not ban any single class of vehicle in its first four years of operation.

Draft plans published by Glasgow City Council reveal that only the most polluting buses will be targeted.

And it will be 2022 before they are prevented from entering the low emissions zone.

Critics have protested against the plans, stating they have "no ambition".

The council said it wanted to ensure the low emission zone was introduced at "a robust yet realistic pace" that would bring air quality improvements "without having a detrimental impact on transport".

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Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie says Glasgow has suffered illegal levels of air pollution for many years with a profound impact on people's health.

Mr Harvie says the introduction of a low emission zone there must not set a precedent for weak action and says progress has been painfully slow.

He says FOE Scotland have described this as a "no ambition zone".

Mr Harvie borrows Ms Sturgeon's phrase: "If we will the end surely we must will the means."

Ms Sturgeon says she does not agree with that characterisation saying Glasgow' low emission zone encompassesa all vehicles.

The lead in time is based on pragmatism, she says.

The first minister Scotland has more stringent air quality targets than the rest of the UK.

Image source, Falkirk Council

The A801 Avon Gorge road will close for five weeks of emergency repairs after "real concerns" over the appearance of significant cracks on the carriageway.

A Falkirk Council roads team found slippage on the adjacent embankment and soft verge causing a potential danger to road users.

An eight-mile signposted diversion will be in place after the road is closed from 06:00 on Wednesday.

The verge will be strengthened to "stabilise any further movement".

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SNP MSP Angus Macdonald raises the issue of the closure of the A801 near Falkirk.

Ms Sturgeon says the A801 is vitally important and says the government has approved a business case for the improvement scheme.

She says she will asks Transport Scotland to initiate discussions with both local authorities.

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Labour MSP Mark Griffin raises the case of a constituent with MS and asks if new stem cell therapy treatment will be provided through the NHS in Scotland as soon as it is in England.

Ms Sturgeon says the Scottish government is determined those with MS have access to the best treatment.

Decisions are taken independently of ministers by the MHRA, she adds, and the health secretary will write to the organisation on the matter.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott raises the issue of car parking charges at the airport in Shetland.

Ms Sturgeon says she will certainly look into it.

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Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks if Aberdeen City Council's top-up funding means it meets the floor of the no council receiving less than 85% of the average.

The first minister says she will look into it but adds the Scottish government remains committed to the 85% floor.

Emergency services are dealing with a major fire at a nightclub in Glasgow city centre.

Fire crews were called to a blaze which is believed to have started in Victoria's in Sauchiehall Street at about 08:20 on Thursday morning.

Eight appliances were tackling the fire and residents were evacuated from nearby buildings.

Photos on social media showed smoke billowing from shop fronts opposite the former British Home Stores building.

Witnesses described flames coming from windows on the first floor.

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SNP MSP Sandra White says there is massive fire in Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow and calls for the first minister to offer any help required.

The first minister says this is a deeply concerning incident in Glsagow.

She says the fire crews have successfully evacuated properties and says her thoughts are with the firefighters at this time.

A union has warned that the company taking over from collapsed contractor Carillion at Edinburgh's Waverley station must respect workers' rights.

Unite said the new contractor must not use "umbrella companies", saying they "exploited" workers and calling the practice immoral "wage theft".

The £23m platform extension scheme at Edinburgh Waverley was hit by the Carillion's collapse in January.

Network Rail is expected to announce a contractor to finish the job soon.

Read more here.

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The Scottish Labour leader does not join Ms Sturgeon in calling for responsibility for Network Rail to be devolved to Holyrood.

Mr Leonard calls on Ms Sturgeon to work with the union to protect the workforce and ensure that no worker on Scottish government contracts will have to pay to recieve their wages.

The first minister says: "I think I'm speaking English."

She goes on to say she has clearly deprecated that agency's practice.

Ms Sturgeon says the government uses all powers at its disposal to ensure ethical practice.

Umbrella firms process wages on behalf of companies who do not want to employ staff directly.

This can mean workers end up paying excessive administrative fees to get their wages as well as being liable for their employers' national insurance.

At First Minister's Questions last week, Richard Leonard said using "umbrella companies", which could include employment agencies, allowed contractors to dodge tax, cut costs and exploit workers.

He claimed one worker for a railway electrification project at Shotts for Carillion had to pay up to £100 week to get paid his wages.

The first minister said it was "absolutely outrageous" and condemned "any company pursuing any practice of that nature".