The finance committee hears from the Scottish Fiscal Commission on its latest growth forecasts
A ministerial statement in aquaculture
MSPs debate the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill
An SNP MSP marks child safety week
Image source, David Dixon/PA/SelkirkDumfries and Selkirk are just two south of Scotland towns hoping to cash in
MSPs will now debate the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill, external for the final time before voting on whether to pass it or not at decision time.
Image source, bbcFergus Ewing speaks to his amendments and calls for Colin Smyth to withdraw his one, which he does not.
MSPs reject Mr Smyth's amendment and back the amendments from the minister.
The consideration of Stage 3 amendments and subsequent voting concludes.
Image source, Scottish ParilamentThe fair work direction from the government is welcomed by all.
Image source, Borders CollegeBorders College and Dumfries and Galloway College will receive a large slice of the funding
We now move to an amendment calling for performance indicators to be added to the annual report, moved by Colin Smyth.
Mr Ewing says this amendment is not necessary.
It's rejected.
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Mr Ewing moves on to speak to his amendment which would require the creation of a worker's interests committee by South of Scotland Enterprise.
This is backed by all.
Green MSP John Finnie says it would have been excellent if MSPs who have just spoken had actually looked at his amendment.
The Green MSP presses his amendment, but it is resoundingly defeated, with 6 MSPs backing it and 107 against.
The earlier amendment from Colin Smyth on co-operation is also rejected, with 51 MSPs backing it and 62 against.
Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles insists this amendment is not about the arms trade, and he points out that as long as we have an army, they will need munitions.
Do the Greens not want an army at all, he asks, saying "this is a remarkably daft amendment".
Not surprisingly Finlay Carson says the Conservatives won't back the amendment from the Greens.
SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson won't be backing it either, and that sentiment is echoed by the minister.
Image source, bbcGreen MSP John Finnie
Green MSP John Finnie speaks to his amendment saying powers must not be used to contribute to the arms trade.
It says South of Scotland Enterprise may not do anything which contributes financially to the arms trade, either directly or through supporting others.
Tory MSP Oliver Mundell asks if Mr Finnie thinks it is a bit odd to says no munitions should be made in the South of Scotland for UK forces.
"No I don't think it's remotely odd at all," replies Mr Finnie.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentHere's the amendment
Mr Smyth now speaks to his amendments, calling for consultation with communities to be a statutory requirement, and says his amendment would require consultation on the agency's action plan.
Mr Ewing says he's happy to support these amendments, so they pass unanimously.
MSPs reject Claudia Beamish's amendment on collaboration, but back Maureen Watt's.
Colin Smyth says the cluttered landscape must be cleared and points out his amendment calls for cooperation between South of Scotland Enterprise and other Scotttish public authorities in the area.
The rural economy secretary says there has been a culture of co-operation in the south of Scotland already, and will be encouraged by the government.
Mr Ewing says it would not make sense for all three amendments in this group to make it into the bill as saying the same things several times confuses the legislation.
He calls for MSPs to back Maureen Watt's amendment.
Labour MSP Claudia Beamish speaks to her amendment relating to collaboration and co-operation with other bodies
As Ms Beamish begins, she says "he's not listening", although who she is referring to is unclear.
The Labour MSP then outlines the reasoning behind her amendment, which would add "encouraging persons and bodies with an interest in the environment to co-operate in achieving environmental objectives" to the bill.
She is clear this amendment would add to the aims of the bill and is in the public interest.
Ms Beamish hopes the cabinet secretary will back this amendment.
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Plans to create a south of Scotland enterprise agency won the backing of Holyrood's rural economy committee.
MSPs said there was "no doubt" the body was needed and had "overwhelming support".
They said the area faced a number of challenges, including an aging population as well as transport and digital connectivity issues.
The committee identified a number of challenges facing the economy in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.
Image source, Peter MackenzieThe committee visited Dumfries to hear directly from people living and working in the area
Among the findings of the report were:
Image source, bbcMSPs are debating an voting on Stage 3 amendments to the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill, external.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth's amendment adding 'rural businesses' is not agreed to, with 53 MSPs backing it and with 60 against.
The same fate befalls his amendment relating to affordable housing, this time 52 for with 60 against.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth moves his amendment calling for the addition of "rural businesses" to the face of the bill and we have a five minute division.
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