Topical questions will begin with a query about reports two patients have died at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after contracting a fungal infection from pigeon droppings, and what advice has been issued to NHS boards on this matter.

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There will follow a question calling for the Scottish government's response is to Theresa May’s latest statement on how she plans to proceed with the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

The government will the lead a debate on the progress of the city deals.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon’s member’s debate looks at the latest cervical screening uptake statistics

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MSPs vote to approve the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external.

These regulations make provision regarding cremations in Scotland, in particular in respect of the management and operation of crematoriums, applications for cremation, the handling of ashes and cremation registers.

The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 repeals and replaces the Cremation Acts 1902 and 1952 as they apply to Scotland.

The Act makes provision to regulate cremation and places duties on cremation authorities.

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Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about so-called "pauper's funeral".

Cheryl Paris says there is now a form that will ensure ashes are returned to the next of kin.

Mr Briggs says members of the committee were concerned about the four to eight week period when people were to get the ashes.

Mr Fitzpatrick explains if someone says they want the ashes but want more time, that is respected.

The regulations put in the absolute minimum the minister explains.

Robert Swanson explains there is a lot of flexibility, but adds there has to be some guidance.

Crematoria Inspector Robert Swanson confirms there has been 100% recovery of baby and infant ashes in the last four years.

These regulations will not change much as they simply make the standards being adhered to now a requirement, he adds.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs asks about arrangements where relatives could not be contacted.

Cheryl Paris explains local authorities will pay for and arrange the burial or cremation where there is no next of kin or the next of kin is unable to pay for it.

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SNP MSP Emma Harper refers to the 64 recommendations from Lord Bonomy as part of the Infant Cremation Commission and asks if they have all been implemented.

There are a large amount of these that have been and a further 22 will be with these regulations, there are five ongoing, and a further five that are not yet to be implemented.

Three of these will be in the forthcoming code of practice, one in forthcoming software and finally regulations 56 which relates to a national memorial.

It there is a major demand for this it will be considered, the minister explains.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton asks about the ongoing support available to the families involved in the baby ashes scandal.

Cheryl Paris from the Scottish government says there are some charities continuing to support families but she does not think the demand is as high as it was initially.

Mr Cole-Hamilton asks about the process for stillbirths.

Ms Paris says this is for the families to decide, in conversation with hospital staff, whether they want to arrange to funeral themselves or for the hospital to arrange individual burials or cremations.

Convener Lewis Macdonald asks how the timescales set out were arrived at.

Mr FitzPatrick explains these timescales are roughly the average of what happens now, meaning much shorter ones are currently being adhered to.

The regulations will provide a degree of consistency across Scotland, he says.

The convener wonders about the process for contacting relatives.

The minister says the communication would generally be written, sent via recorded delivery.

In 2014 a report into the cremation of babies recommended new laws and guidelines to protect bereaved families.

The Infant Cremation Commission, chaired by Lord Bonomy, made 64 recommendations,, external including an urgent review of cremation practices.

They include a statutory definition of ashes and regulation of cremation of babies of less than 24 weeks gestation.

Read more here.

Image source, Reuters

Also in 2014 the results of an inquiry into the baby ashes scandal at Mortonhall crematorium in Edinburgh was published by the city council.

Former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini carried out the investigation into the cremation of babies at the council-run crematorium over a period of 40 years.

Read more here.

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says these regulations will put in a much stronger framework for cremation in Scotland.

Mr Fitzpatrick says it is crucial that when a person dies each agency involved is respectful to the bereaved and the wishes of the deceased.

He says in 2014 Lord Bonomy published his recommendations for the cremation of infants, which have implications for older children and adults, combined with Dame Angiolini's inquiry into the "baby ashes scandal".

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The minister says records will now be kept for 50 years, an extension from 15 years.

Each of the 30 crematoria will be inspected annually by Robert Swanson, who is sitting next to the minister.

Comprehensive guidance has been produced for crematoria and the public explains the minister.

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There will be no criminal proceedings over two baby ashes cases in Fife and Glasgow.

Fiscals concluded there should be no further action over the cases of infant cremation at Kirkcaldy and Daldowie Crematoriums raised in Dame Angiolini's report into cremations in Scotland.

Dame Angiolini had been looking into the baby ashes scandal at Mortonhall Crematorium when she flagged them up.

The Crown Office said both families had been informed.

• Read more here
• Hazlehead Crematorium staff 'misled' baby ashes inquiry
• Baby ashes scandal 'will not happen again'
• Edinburgh City Council receives baby ashes report

MSPs will now take evidence on the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019 [draft], external.

These regulations make provision regarding cremations in Scotland, in particular in respect of the management and operation of crematoriums, applications for cremation, the handling of ashes and cremation registers.

The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 repeals and replaces the Cremation Acts 1902 and 1952 as they apply to Scotland.

The Act makes provision to regulate cremation and places duties on cremation authorities.

The committee will quiz:

• Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick
• Robert Swanson inspector of crematoria Scottish government
• Johanna Irvine legal directorate
• Cheryl Paris burial and cremation team Scottish government

We need to play a stronger role in coordinating inclusive efforts, Mr Harris accepts.

In time we would hope these efforts would lead to infrastructure improvements to reduce socio-economic barriers, he adds.

Asked again about National Lottery funding, Mr Harris explains sportscotland has had to reduce capital investment.

However, the organisation is currently in the process of reassessing funding options, including working with private partners, he adds.

And that ends the session with sportscotland.

Mr Harris insists the model is being changed from delivery orientated to building capacity in communities and saying "you build it yourself".

The barrier is the infrastructure, he explains.

SNP MSP George Adam says in Ferguslie Park in his constituency in Paisley, the St Mirren football club is being used more, but there has been a drop in National Lottery funding.

Mr Harris shares the SNP MSP's concern about the drop in National Lottery funding.

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An overwhelming majority of Scotland's publicly-funded elite athletes are drawn from middle class backgrounds, a BBC Scotland investigation has found.

It discovered that almost nine in 10 went to either fee-paying schools or a state school in a wealthy area.

The data was uncovered by The Medal Myth, a documentary looking at elite sport, health and public spending.

Sport Scotland said it was trying to do more to increase opportunities for all on its elite programmes.

• Are medal-winning sports people inspiring children?
• Read more here

Tory MSP Brian Whittle highlights a 30-point participation difference between children from the most and least deprived areas.

Stewart Harris says while the national indicators are useful, the response is better delivered at a local level.

Active School coordinators can provide targeted solutions which can help close such gaps, he says.

Mr Whittle says there is a general agreement on where we want to go, but asks about barriers to implementing an overall plan to tackle the participation gap.

Mr Harris reiterates the need to deliver at local level and suggests this seems to be working in schools.

However, he agrees there is not yet enough capacity in communities to give young people the choice to participate.

Image source, Reuters

Glasgow continues to benefit from the 2014 Commonwealth Games but there has been little impact on the number of people who are physically active, a Games' legacy report said last April.

The report found that although visitor numbers were up and the Games venues remained popular, sport participation levels in Scotland had remained stable.

The report highlights the benefits of hosting such a huge sporting event.

It was compiled by Glasgow City Council and the Scottish government.

Read more here.

Jacqueline Lynn ponders what interventions can be made to increase participation in sport for teenage girls.

The sportscotland chief exec says talking to young girls and women and listening to them is crucial.

John Lunn adds that when you get to the 13-15 age group it can be very difficult to retain membership.

Mr Lunn explains sports are looking at ways of tackling this, for example by reducing the time commitment.

Image source, SNS

The Scottish FA have launched a programme to keep girls playing football at grassroots level.

Along with Uefa, the governing body's We Play Strong centres are aimed at 12-16 year olds to halt the drop off in participation compared to younger ages.

It will potentially see after-school football offered across 120 schools.

Image source, Getty Images

The number of schoolchildren taking part in a project to encourage sport and physical activity is at an all-time high, according to Scotland's national sports agency.

Sportscotland said its Active Schools initiative had seen a 5% increase in numbers over the past year, external.

The project provides schools and sports clubs with more, and better, sporting opportunities for young people.

More than seven million sessions were delivered in the past year.

Read more.

Convener Lewis Macdonald says the number of young people being active has been fairly static in recent years.

The drop-off in participation levels between primary and secondary schools, and the gap between boys and girls also remain significant, he adds.

sportscotland chief exec Stewart Harris agrees there is work to do but there are some changes in trends.

In terms of the Active Schools programme, there is parity between boys and girls he says.

Mr Harris also insists his organisation cannot be the only one responsible for this, pointing to work with the education sector.