Mairi Gougeon says the Scottish government is working with a range of partners on the issue, with the focus being on preventing the release and spread as well as rapid response.

Mr Carson highlights increasing pressures on water habitats from invasive species.

Ms Gougeon says it is a massive challenge and agrees more must be done, highlighting an example on the north of Scotland focused on river catchments.

Working with communities and volunteers is vital in tackling the problem, she adds.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson asks how the Scottish government is tackling non-native invasive species.

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More than a million volunteers are needed to tackle the spread of invasive non-native species in the UK, MPs say.

It is estimated that between 36 and 48 new such species will become established in the next 20 years, according to a report by the Environmental Audit Committee., external

Climate change is putting "the future of our natural landscape at risk," said committee chairwoman Mary Creagh.

A government spokesperson said it was "committed" to tackling the problem.

Read more.

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Click here for the full list of questions., external

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart says Scotland has a deficit of £12.6bn according to the GERS figures.

Mr McKee says GERS is a reflection on Scotland's position as part of the union and says an independent Scotland would be a very different economy.

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Investment Minister Ivan McKee says the greatest threat to the economy currently is Brexit.

Mr Sarwar insists "you can't defeat chaos with more chaos" and lambastes nationalist efforts.

Mr McKee reiterates the point the Scottish government has committed to publishing analyses ahead of any indyref2 and argues small independent countries have gone from strength to strength, "unlike Scotland which has suffered under the union".

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar asks whether an assessment of the possible economic impact on Scotland of it leaving the UK will be published.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant highlights the delay to the Scottish Budget will have a knock-on effect on local authorities and third sector organisations.

She seeks assurances that they will be adequately funded to continue service delivery.

Ms Forbes says there are a number of options available and the Scottish government hopes to deliver a budget as quickly and early as possible.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser points out all parties called for a December election with the consequences for the Scottish budget.

The SNP MPs must take their share of responsibility, adds Mr Fraser.

Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie says we are now in in an incredibly tight and constrained budget process.

Mr Harvie calls on the two parties likely to form the next government to write to their Treasury spokespeople on this issue.

Ms Forbes agrees.

Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes says a new UK Budget date will not be known until December at the earliest, meaning the Scottish government will not have clarity on funding available for public services.

It makes it more difficult to plan when the Scottish Budget will be and will limit the time available to do so, she adds.

SNP MSP Gil Paterson asks about discussions with the UK government regarding the impact on Scotland of the cancellation of the 2019 UK Budget.

Chancellor Sajid Javid was planning to set out his first Budget on 6 November 2019, but not long after this was announced, MPs backed a general election.

The Scottish Budget was originally scheduled for 12 December, but this is now the date of general election, so it seems unlikely this will go ahead.

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Click here for the full list of questions., external

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Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie begins saying the Scottish government strongly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances as an absolute principle.

It's barbaric and inhumane, adds the minister, who points out it is the most vulnerable and marginalised who are most affected by the death penalty around the world.

Abolishing gross human rights abuses like the death penalty should be the bare minimum undertaking, she says.

"Everyone should have the right to live with dignity," she tells the chamber.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley says human rights are the foundations for fairness, respect, equality and dignity.

He calls for the UK to refuse to facilitate extradition to countries that still use capital punishment.

The death penalty is state authorised killing, he adds.

He highlights that in many countries that use it, the judiciary is elected and therefore may take a harder line on the issue.

Mr Rowley says the death penalty should never again have a place in our justice system.

Reality Check

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The UN Secretary General António Guterres marked the World Day Against the Death Penalty by praising the efforts of countries to end the practice.

He said "170 States have either abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium on its use."

A moratorium is an agreement to suspend a policy or action.

According to Amnesty International in 2017, 142 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.

Read more.

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Tory MSP Maurice Corry says the right to life is one of the many fundamental human rights that can't be taken lightly in any circumstance.

Mr Corry points out that no matter the nationality of somebody, they are protected from having to face the death penalty in the UK.

However the same can not be said for Scots abroad and he calls for all countries to abolish the death penalty.

The Tory MSP says human rights must be protected on a global scale.

We are privileged to live in a country where the death penalty is not our reality, he concludes.

Henry "Harry" Burnett died at the hands of the hangman on 15 August 1963. Since that day, the words "judicial hanging" have never appeared again on a death certificate issued in Scotland.

The scene of Burnett's execution was Craiginches prison in Aberdeen. His crime was murder.

It was a crime of passion carried out after Burnett found himself ensnared in a complex love triangle.

But after he blasted his lover's husband to death with a shotgun in May 1963 he was living on borrowed time.

Read more.

SNP MSP Bill Kidd highlights 142 countries have abolished the death penalty in law and practice, but Amnesty International records show 56 countries continue to use it.

China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Iraq were the top five executors in 2018 he says.

The death penalty disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable because they are less able to afford legal defense, Mr Kidd tells the chamber.

The SNP MSP goes on to highlight children can be given death penalty sentences in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and South Sudan.

The death penalty is the "ultimate abuse of human rights," he says.

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Annual executions recorded worldwide fell by almost a third in 2018 to the lowest figure in more than a decade, Amnesty International says.

Some 690 people were executed in 20 countries last year, excluding China, a fall of 31% on 2017 - when 993 deaths were recorded.

Executions in Iran fell by 50% after capital punishment was abolished for some drug offences, Amnesty found.

Amnesty says thousands were probably killed in China but records are secret.

Read more.

SNP MSP Bill Kidd is highlighting World Day Against the Death Penalty, which took place on 10 October.

Here is his motion...

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Chamber business begins at 1.15pm with a member's debate on World Day Against the Death Penalty, hosted by SNP MSP Bill Kidd.

After portfolio questions to finance and environment ministers, the Scottish Tories have the floor.

One debate will focus on the ferry network and the second on curriculum for excellence.

SNP MSP Angus MacDonald will end the day with a member's debate on UN Year of Indigenous Languages and European Day of Languages.