Mr Crawford says the evidence the committee received took a different view to the minister, with the Electoral Commission telling MSPs they strongly believed they should test any indyref2 question.

The committee therefore recommended that the cabinet secretary recognise the weight of evidence calling for retesting and come to an agreement with the Commission before Stage 2, he explains.

Constitution committee convener Bruce Crawford welcomes the fact the members were able to unanimously agree its report on the bill and praises his colleagues for reaching consensus.

There are two main areas in the bill which we believe need to be considered again, he says:

1. the powers conferred to ministers on the calling of a referendum through secondary legislation
2. consultation of the Electoral Commission on the wording of the question

Image source, PA Media

Scottish ministers have been urged to strike a deal with the Electoral Commission over testing the question for a future independence referendum.

Holyrood's constitution committee has been examining the Referendums Bill, which could pave the way for a vote.

The Scottish government says the yes or no question used in 2014 does not need to be tested again by the watchdog.

But the committee unanimously said ministers "must recognise the weight of evidence in favour" of a fresh test.

Read more.

The constitution secretary says he intends to bring forward an amendment to increase fines for rule breakers from £10,000 to £500,000.

Mr Russell pivots finally to the one area where he and the committee have had a difference of opinion, whether there needs to be further testing of the question for indyref2.

He argues the question in the independence referendum in 2014 has been used in 58 opinion polls since and is well regarded and fair.

He accepts there should be a shelf-life for any question if separated by two parliaments.

Mr Russell says he is in agreement that he should discuss the question for indyref2 with the Electoral Commission.

He pledges to come back at Stage 2 with any proposals arising from these discussions.

Mr Russell says he greatly values the role of the Electoral Commission and he agrees to give greater consideration to its views on campaign conduct rules.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay wonders what type of issues might be covered in referendums.

The cabinet secretary says this was laid out in discussions with the committee and adds citizens assemblies may come up with suggestions.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins wonders why there is no provision for a citizen initiated referendum in this bill.

Mr Russell says citizens can feed in proposals through other means.

Image source, bbc

Constitution Secretary Mike Russell starts the first debate on the Referendums (Scotland) Bill, external.

Mr Russell insists the government will provide a positive response to the constitution committee before the start of Stage 2.

The purpose of the bill is to put in a statutory framework for all referendums, explains the constitutional relations secretary.

He argues the needs of voters should be at the heart of MSPs' considerations by designing a consistent set of rules.

Mr Russell confirms any proposal for indyref2 will now require a short bill and adds he intends to move an amendment setting a 10-week campaign period.

Image source, Getty Images

MSPs are to debate legislation that lays the groundwork for a new Scottish independence referendum at Holyrood.

The Scottish government wants to hold a new ballot in 2020 and has tabled the Referendums Bill to pave the way.

There have been calls for parts of the bill to be amended, in particular over whether the Electoral Commission would test the question for "indyref2".

However, the legislation is expected to progress with the backing of the SNP and the Greens in any case.

The issue of a referendum has become a key topic of debate in the general election campaign, with the SNP putting it "at the heart" of their platform and Labour and the Conservatives disputing whether they would agree to hold one in future.

• Ministers urged to agree indyref2 question test
• Read more here

Work is underway to draft the bill and we intend to bring it forward as part of the programme for this parliamentary year, confirms Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon.

Mr Kelly wonders if more worker protection in the food industry could be included in the bill.

The minister says she cannot say for certain whether that would be included in the bill itself, but it will be considered as a wider package of work on efforts to become to Good Food Nation.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP James Kelly asks when the Good Food Nation Bill will be published.

The Bill was announced as part of the programme for government in September.

It aims to create a framework to boost the consumption of locally-grown food.

Earlier in the year, the Scottish Human Rights Commission called for the bill to enshrine a right to food in law.

Image source, Thinkstock

Click here to view all questions., external

Image source, Getty Images

After lunch, rural economy ministers face portfolio questions.

Then MSPs debate the Referendums Bill (also known as the indyref2 'framework' bill) for the first time.

Image source, John Ward

A British nuclear weapons tests veteran has called for a government apology after claiming his health was damaged by radiation from the blasts.

John Ward, 80, from Chesterfield, was sent to Christmas Island, in the Pacific Ocean, in the 1950s to witness atomic and hydrogen bomb explosions.

He said his cancer was related to radiation he was exposed to.

The Ministry of Defence said there was no "valid evidence" linking the nuclear tests to ill health.

Read more.

When Ken McGinley was 19 he witnessed British nuclear tests in the Pacific and by the age of 21 he had been invalided out the army.

He suffered constant ill-health, and was unable to have children since witnessing the tests in the 1950s.

See more.

MSPs debate the need to recognise nuclear test veterans.

The motion highlights the long-term impacts on those who took part in the programme and notes the UK is the "only nuclear power to deny special recognition and compensation to its test veterans".

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The first minister says the government is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people, pointing to a range of guidance from local authorities for schools.

Restraint and seclusion should only be used as a last resort, she adds.

Mr Johnson says figures found restraint and conclusion was used 2,674 on 386 children in 2017-18.

He calls for tougher statutory guidance on its use because children are being denied there rights in Scottish schools every single day.

Ms Sturgeon agrees children do have a right to be free from physical violence.

She points to restraint and seclusion guidance published in 2017, which is being revised at the moment to respond to recommendations made by the children’s commissioner.

This will include improvements to monitoring she adds.

Putting this on a statutory footing is something the government is willing to consider, Ms Sturgeon says.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson asks what the government is doing to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children with additional support needs.

Image source, iStock

Campaigners are calling for new guidance and stricter protocols on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.

Figures from Enable Scotland said that in 2017-18, 2,674 incidents of restraint and seclusion were recorded by local authorities.

But the charity also said this did not illustrate the full extent of the issue as many councils failed to provide data.

Campaigners are calling for an end to unregulated, unsupported and unacceptable restraint and seclusion practices being used in schools.