Mr Rumbles welcomes the £600m investment in the R100 programme despite it being a reserved responsibility.

However, he expresses doubt that it will be done within the anticipated timescale.

Customers want to know when they will be part of the rollout and that is why his amendment calls for a clear timetable, the Lib Dem MSP explains.

There must be a detailed and published rollout programme, he asserts.

Image source, bbc

Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles says last November, the cabinet secretary said more than 800,000 houses had superfast broadband thanks to the Scottish government.

Not once have we heard that the vast majority of funding for the programme came from the UK coalition government, the EU, local authorities and BT, he insists.

Mr Ewing intervenes to reiterate that he has made it clear the investment was by the Scottish government because they were running the main contact.

The minister makes it clear the UK government provided £100m, the Scottish government and Scottish public sector, including local authorities and HIE, provided £160m.

Mr Rumbles hits back saying that the Scottish government contribution is less than one fifth of the total.

Image source, Reuters

It's not just rural Scotland where there is a digital divide, Mr Smyth says.

A disproportionate number of deprived households have no access to the internet, explains the Labour MSP.

Whether rural or deprived, too many communities are being prevented from accessing the benefits superfast broadband can provide, he says.

He adds that the commitment to provide 30 megabits per second is welcome.

The cabinet secretary offers his assurances that the parliament will be provided with information on rollout as soon as the tender process is complete.

This is welcomed my Mr Smyth, criticising the lack of communication in the previous rollout.

He accuses both the Scottish government and Conservatives of trying to blame each other for the lack of connectivity.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Colin Smyth ponders that every aspect of life is changing as a result of access to broadband.

Mr Smyth says he could go on about the frustrations his constituents have about broadband provision and criticises the government motion for not addressing this.

He says the gap in broadband provision has been reduced, but a gap does still remain.

The R100 can help to address this, he says.

Image source, Digtial Scotland

The Scottish government's Digital Strategy, Realising Scotland's full potential in a Digital World , external sets out the goernment's plans for putting digital at the heart of everything it does.

Including the way in which it delivers inclusive economic growth, reform ofr public services and preparin g children for the workplace of the future.

Image source, Thinkstock

The reality on the grounds in constituencies across this country shows the digital divide has never been greater, Mr Carson says.

The Tory MSP argues the Scottish government's programme have seen their speeds improve when they already had a good connection.

There are still over 130,000 premises in Scotland on 10 megabits per second or below, Mr Carson says.

Like on so many other issues, rural Scotland takes second place to the SNP's preferred central belt he claims.

Thank goodness we have the commitment for at least 10 megabits everywhere from the UK government, he states.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Finlay Carson says Scotland lags behind England and Wales in terms of superfast speeds above 24 megabits per second

Mr Carson says Scotland also has a larger proportion of premises that fall below 10 megabits per second.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson says missing out on digital connectivity is missing out on the benefits of modern society.

The Scottish government has failed to prioritise and accelerate the rollout of superfast broadband across the most remote parts of the country, he asserts.

He warns this impacts negatively on the economic sustainability of rural Scotland.

The Conservative digital economy spokesperson reflects on a local medical practice having to take physical records because it was unable to access online records.

This government has widened the digital divide by not accelerating the establishment of broadband where it is needed most, Mr Carson claims.

"It is clear that Scotland is still lagging behind the rest of the UK."

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says it is a myth this is a soley reserved matter.

Mr Greene says there was an agreement between the UK and Scottish governments that the Scottish administration would deliver the contracts for DSSB (Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband).

Image source, bbc

Mr Ewing says it is not a matter of any dubiety that digital telephony and the internet are reserved matters.

The minister refers to section 5 of the Scotland Act where the words are mention.

He says the UK minister has accepted it was reserved.

This is a reserved matter and the UK government are only putting in a "piffling, paltry, stingy 3%", he says.

Procurement will take time but dialogue is key to getting the right outcome, says Mr Ewing.

The aim is to have suppliers in place for R100 by early next year, he confirms.

Reaching every premise in Scotland will require a variety of methods, supported by vouchers available to individuals and communities he states.

Mr Ewing says the UK government contribution to the R100 scheme is "only" 3% of the total.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson asks how much was contributed to the first phase of superfast broadband rollout.

The cabinet secretary confirms the UK government contributed £100m then, which was a "solid amount of money".

However, he says the relatively small amount going towards R100 is "paltry" and describes it as "unfair".

Image source, BT

Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing says: "Scotland has caught up and caught up dramatically with the rest of the UK."

"I won't be satisfied until every home and business has access to superfast broadband."

We've committed £100m to the first phase of the R100 programme which he says is "momentous".

The R100 will focus on the hardest to reach rural areas, he says.

Image source, bbc

Rural Economy and Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing outlines the importance of better digital connections, in terms of health, safety, work and leisure.

Mr Ewing thanks those who have helped to bridge the digital gap through the digital Scotland roll out.

The vast majority of people in Scotland can now access superfast broadband of 30 megabits or above, he says.

The minister says superfast broadband coverage is now over 93% in Scotland.

Rural Economy and Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing is leading this debate on digital connectivity, primarily focused on superfast broadband.

Here is Mr Ewing's motion.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Image source, Thinkstock

The Scottish government is leading a debate on digital connectivity from 2.30pm.

Sports Minister Aileen Campbell says Hampden holds a unique place in Scottish football which should be celebrated.

The SFA decision in principle between Murrayfield and Hampden is expected later this summer, she notes.

The Scottish government's preference is for the decision to be a consensual one with Scottish football at its heart, says Ms Campbell.

Hampden is a great venue but there are concerns about fan experience the minister states, in particular transport and seating behind the goals.

We will continue to keep members updated as the issue progresses, she concludes.

Image source, SNS

The much-eulogized Hampden Roar reached the levels of a wild lion at close quarters during Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final between Celtic and Rangers.

Sound experts recorded what they described as an "incredible" 115-decibel peak during Celtic's 4-0 win over their city rivals.

All 20 English Premier League stadia pale by comparison, they claim.

They were called in by Hampden Park Limited as it looks to safeguard the future of Scotland's national stadium.

The Scottish FA had been considering an alternative of using the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, instead of renewing its lease for Hampden.

Owners Queen's Park agreed in principle last month to sell the Glasgow stadium to the governing body, but campaigners are continuing their campaign to prove the venue's worth.

• Queen's Park poised to sell Hampden to SFA

Phil Goodlad
BBC Scotland

Image source, SNS

Murrayfield should become the new home of Scottish football because it is the "largest and best stadium in Scotland," according to the Scottish Rugby Union.

The Scottish FA is considering a move away from Hampden and will decide between the current national stadium and Murrayfield this summer.

Football fans are being given a tour of the home of rugby today.

And SRU chief operating officer Dominic McKay insists the venue has a "number of unique selling points".

• SFA to choose between Hampden and Murrayfield
• Queen's Park 'agree deal' to sell Hampden

Read more here.