Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw says yesterday the Scottish government demanded an urgent debate on flags.

Mr Carlaw asks if the first minister will meet his demand for a statement next week on why the government is failing to meet its own target on deprived schools.

It's for the business bureau to decide debates, replies the first minister.

Ms Sturgeon pivots to the education question and accepts there is work to do, but cites improvements in exam results and the impact of the attainment gap fund.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell says it is a real source of sadness and regret, on the last full day of the UK being in the EU, that Scotland is leaving without a mandate from its people.

Mr Russell insists the UK government ignored the express views of all three devolved legislatures for a bill that requires consent.

He insists a democratic mandate has been given to give the people of Scotland a choice by having indyref2.

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SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald asks the Scottish government what action it is taking in response to the UK Government proceeding to take the UK out of the EU tomorrow through the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, despite the decision by the Scottish Parliament and the other devolved legislatures not to consent to the Bill.

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Read the full list of questions here., external

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11.40am: General Questions

12.00 pm: First Minister's Questions

12.45 pm: Members’ Business: Keith Brown – Public Works Loan Board Rate

2.00 pm: Portfolio Questions: Social Security and Older People

2.20-2.50 pm: Brexit Secretary Mike Russell will make a statement on the role Scotland can play in future trade deals

2.50-5.00 pm: Scottish Government Debate: Drugs and Alcohol – Preventing and Reducing Harms

PE1773 , externalon Reform rape law - the petitioner is seeking to ensure a man being raped by a woman is considered rape under legislation. The committee agree to find out the Scottish government's view and that of other stakeholders.

PE01777, external on Introducing British Sign Language (BSL) into the Curriculum for Excellence. MSPs agree it is important this should be looked at.

The committee draws to a close.

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PE01772, external on Ban Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender teaching and sexual pictures from the school curriculum - the committee convener points out the Scottish government has announced Scotland will be the first country in the world with LGBTI education embedded in the curriculum.

SNP MSP Gail Ross says there are various aspects of this petition that are simply incorrect as there is no promotion of homosexuality in schools, rather it is a learning system that allows young people to see themselves in the education they get.

Ms Ross points out that any attempt to roll back these rights and education standards would be a "massive step backwards", adding its 20 years since Clause 28 was repealed.

The deputy committee convener very strongly suggests this petition is closed, which is unanimously agreed to.

PE1766 , externalon Legal aid for private criminal prosecutions for unwaged and/or learning-disabled victims of abuse - the committee agrees to write to the Scottish government on the issue.

PE1768, external on Children Hearing proceedings should be minuted and or recorded - concern is expressed that recording all discussions could inhibit the "open and frank" discussions had through the system, but the committee agrees to write to the Scottish government.

PE1769, external on Higher Education in Scotland - the petition calls for a review of the delivery of higher education. The committee agrees to first write to the Scottish government and then perhaps consider passing it to the education committee.

Next up MSPs consider other continued petitions:

PE1600, external on Speed Awareness Courses - SNP MSP Gail Ross says the petitioner has done "really, really great work", but progress has been made on this so the petition is closed.

PE1671, external on Sale and use of glue traps - the committee will write to the Scottish government and the Pest Management Alliance and keep the petition open, as the petitioner's concerns should be addressed.

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PE1674, external on Managing the Cat Population in Scotland - the petition, to protect the Scottish wildcat population, has delivered "significant movement", but the committee can't take the petition any further so it is closed. The issue will be raised with the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.

PE1709, external on Install CCTV cameras and provide full time social work support in all additional support needs schools. The committee agrees the government have moved on this and agrees to close the petition. The petitioner is commended, as have all the preceding petitioners.

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Tory MSP Brian Whittle says the children and young people's commissioner has not covered himself in glory throughout this and should consider his role in addressing these issues.

Mr Whittle expresses concern that HMRC's role in auditing the books of football clubs has not been examined.

He would also like to see the list of those who have to be PVG checked, adding the Disclosure (Scotland) Bill has passed through Stage One. The proposed legislation is aimed at strengthening the protection of children and other vulnerable people.

Mr Whittle points out the report on this petition will influence that and should be out in time to do that.

Ms Lamont thanks the SFA representatives for their attendance today.

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Mr Maxwell says issues in the past with the SYFA and PGV checks have been addressed.

Back in 2017 the Scottish Youth Football Association (SYFA) tightened coach checks to ensure all youth football coaches would have a background check, via the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) clearance.

The body had been criticised over its child protection procedures

He says the SFA governs everything from the first time you start to kick a ball till you stop and says there are regular meetings with the different constituent parts of the game to make sure everyone is on the same page.

The convener asks what sanctions would be applied to clubs if they were found to have contracts which do not pay the minimum wage.

That would go to the SPFL, replies Mr Maxwell.

There would be sanctions but he is unsure what they are, he tells the committee.

Ms Lamont says if a club was found to break the law, how would that change the relationship with the SFA.

Mr Maxwell confirms the SFA would consider it, but he is unable to confirm what precisely the regulations say.

Asked again about when the review is likely to reach completion, he offers to get back to the committee with this information.

Mr Maxwell says if there is evidence minimum wage breaches it would be damaging to the reputation of Scottish football, but asks where is that evidence.

He says the historic case cited by the committee convener has already been dealt with.

Have you checked asks Ms Lamont, to which Mr Maxwell reiterates all the clubs self-certify.

Mr Maxwell says employers have a duty of care to young people.

But he says there is a difference between what the SFA does and employment law.

Any company in the country must comply with minimum wage legislation yet nobody checks every single employment contract that's ever signed, he replies.

Ms Lamont says she has heard about plenty of exploitative employers before but never about a wage of £1 a week. Is this damaging the Scottish football's reputation?

It would be damaging if that was the case, Mr Maxwell says.

But he insists there is no evidence about anyone being paid £1 per week.

Historically those contracts have existed and we have addressed it, he adds.

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Whatever the regulation changes come from the review, they will adhere to the law says Mr Maxwell.

"We have absolutely no problem making sure the regulations are under the relevant law."

He says he does not think the regulations breach any law but this issue will be part of the review.

The SFA chief executive confirms no young player has contacted the organisation about the minimum wage, pointing out the SPFL oversees this.

He says people are aware of minimum wage legislation and reiterates the SFA is not aware of anyone who is not getting it.

The clubs self-certify on this, he adds, but if any player is in a position where the minimum wage is not being paid they should contact the SFA.

There is "an absolute willingness and openness" to review regulations and ensure they are fit for purpose, insists Ian Maxwell.

Mr Whittle recognises the registration process protects Scottish clubs from having their players taken by English clubs.

Mr Maxwell says it is important the review looks at a mechanism which gives clubs some protection as well as responding to concerns in the petition.

We are not seeing evidence that transfer fees are an issue for players moving between Scottish clubs, he says, but adds there are problems with cross-border transfers but this is covered by Fifa regulations not the SFA.

Ms Lamont asks if the SFA are suggesting there is really nothing to see here, pointing out a young person can still be held at a club for three years, despite wanting to leave.

Mr Maxwell refutes this: "I don't think anyone for one minute is saying there is nothing to see here."

The committee convener asks why the three year registration has not been gotten rid of and presses the SFA chief executive on whether he thinks this should happen.

I am not going to second guess what the outcome of the review will be, replies Mr Maxwell.

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Is it your view that it is acceptable that a young person should be signed up for three years, presses Ms Lamont.

If the player doesn't want to be there anymore they can leave the club, there are mechanisms there for this, insists Mr Maxwell.

Ms Lamont points out this issue has been ongoing for ten years and says the fundamental question is why the three year contracts are there at all.

That's exactly the question we are asking says Mr Maxwell, to which Ms Lamont says he could answer that question.