Questions on culture, tourism and external affairspublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, Getty/ThinkstockSummary
The rural economy committee undertakes pre-budget scrutiny, focusing on ferries
Constitutional relations, culture, tourism and external affairs ministers are up for portfolio questions
A statement will be made on the common agricultural policy
Followed by another statement on social security
MSPs debate supporting and protecting human rights defenders
The member's business focuses on Euratom
Questions on culture, tourism and external affairspublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, Getty/ThinkstockScottish government still engaging with UK government on policypublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Constitutional Relations Secretary Mike Russell points to the recent joint ministerial committee where the Scottish government reiterated its stance the legislation will not be taken forward until issues with Sewel are resolved.
This does not mean they are not engaging on policy intentions, he adds.
Ms Hamilton asks about farmers' futures.
We will continue to have discussions on frameworks but the UK government cannot simply impose a bill replies Mr Russell.
Discussions on UK bills which impact Scotlandpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks about meetings with the UK government to discuss UK bills that contain proposals that impact on Scotland.
Russell frustrated by engagement with UK government to datepublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, bbcMr Russell says he has been frustrated by the engagement with the UK government to date.
The Brexit Secretary highlights outsanding issues like the lack of a back stop to the Northern Ireland border.
Mr Dornan asks if there is a deal for Northern Ireland, should there be a deal for Scotland.
The cabinet secretary says any deal for Northern Ireland is a differentiation and he points out the SNP have argued for a differentiated deal for Scotland.
He points out both Scotland an Northern Ireland voted decisively to remain in the EU.
EU withdrawal agreementpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
SNP MSP James Dornan seeks an update on the Scottish government's involvement in negotiations on the EU withdrawal agreement.
Guide to services to veterans highlightedpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image caption, Veterans Minister Graeme Dey
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey highlights the report published yesterday on services available for veterans.
He also points to the debate tomorrow, in which he will more fully update parliament.
Ms Harper praises South West RNR , externaland invites the minister to visit the organisation, to which Mr Dey agrees.
Background: Scottish government report into support for armed forces and veteranspublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, PAThe Scottish government has published 'Scottish Government Support for Veterans and the Armed Forces Community in Scotland Autumn 2018', external.
It sets out our current achievements and future priorities, and highlights the work the Scottish Ggovernment is taking forward to respond to the recommendations made in the Scottish Veterans Commissioner's, external reports and in particular to Veterans Health and Wellbeing: A Distinctive Scottish Approach, external.
Veterans' supportpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
SNP MSP Emma Harper asks about support for veterans.
Concerns raised about migrant workers available to the fish processing sectorpublished at 14:15 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, SNP MSP Maureen Watt
Mr Russell says on 16 August the first minister chaired a Seafood Sector Roundtable on Brexit, with the main concern being a lack of migrant workers.
The Brexit secretary says the UK government "needs to take jump to themselves".
Tory MSP Peter Chapman agrees labour is vital to the industry.
Background: Concern over EU 'talent loss' post-Brexit, BBC research findspublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Glenn Campbell
BBC Scotland Political Correspondent
Image source, MorrisonsThe potential loss of EU talent has emerged as a key concern of Scotland's public services, according to BBC research
The UK is due to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019.
Both the Scottish and UK governments have been intensifying their preparations with six months to go.
EU nationals are also important in the tourism, food and drink and fish harvesting and processing sectors.
Shetland islands council highlighted the case of Grieg Seafood, the largest salmon farmer in the islands, which relies on EU nationals for 20% of its workforce.
Its managing director, Grant Cumming, said "we would really struggle without our EU workers".
Fish processing and Brexitpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
SNP MSP Maureen Watt asks about discussions with the fish processing industry regarding the impact of Brexit on people from the EU working in the sector.
Until Sewel convention has meaning we cannot go along with it says ministerpublished at 14:12 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Mr Russell says officials and ministers engage regularly, most recently on 17 September.
Finlay Carson asks about discussions on Brexit legislation and the minister insists the until the Sewel convention has meaning, we cannot go along with it.
Welsh government engagementpublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Tory MSP Finlay Carson queries contact with the Welsh government since the recent joint ministerial committee meeting.
Background: Where does the SNP stand on having another Brexit referendum?published at 14:10 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
The SNP is firmly opposed to Brexit, but has not yet backed calls by the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum to be held on the issue.
Ms Sturgeon said her party would not stand in the way of another vote on Brexit, and would be "happy to have discussions" with those advocating one.
But she added: "I think for me to become an enthusiastic advocate of that I would need some assurance that Scotland won't simply find itself in the same position all over again where Scotland votes to stay but the rest of the UK votes to leave and Scotland ends up being taken against their will."
Cabinet secretary reveals discussion with People's Vote campaignpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, bbcImage caption, Brexit Secretary Mike Russell
Brexit Secretary Mike Russell assures the chamber the Scottish government is not opposed to a vote on the final deal.
However he expresses concerns that Scotland may find itself in the same position as it did after the first referendum.
Mr Rennie says to be brutal he wants me to back a second independence refendum if he is to back a second referendum Brexit referendum.
That will not happen, asserts the Scottish Lib Dem leader.
The cabinet secretary tells the chamber he has had a discussion with the People's Vote campaign this morning.
Final vote on Brexit dealpublished at 14:05 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asks what the Scottish government's position is on there being a UK-wide referendum on the final terms of the Brexit deal.
How will sensitive information be defined?published at 14:05 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image caption, Labour MSP Jackie Baillie
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks what criteria will be used to define information as sensitive, as highlighted in the draft action plan.
Mr Dey says he will come back to the member on this issue in due course.
Action plan published on 13 Septemberpublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image caption, Parliamentary Business Manager Graeme Dey
Parliamentary Business Manager Graeme Dey points to changes made in the last 12 months that improved performance.
A draft action plan was published on 13 September to address the remaining issues he says and the Scottish government is awaiting a response from the information commissioner.
Background: Scottish government criticised over Freedom of Information delayspublished at 14:02 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Information Commissioner has criticised the Scottish government's handling of Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.
A report by commissioner Daren Fitzhenry, external found "unjustifiable, significant delays" in some cases.
He also said journalists and political researchers faced an "additional layer of clearance" that should end.
The government welcomed the report which it said highlighted "significant improvements" in its FoI service.
FoI changespublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 26 September 2018
Tory MSP Annie Wells asks about action taken since the publication of the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Intervention Report, which found that it was operating a "two-tier" system for managing FoI requests that discriminated against journalists, MSPs and researchers.