A demolition company has unveiled plans to create a facility in Orkney to decommission redundant oil and gas rigs.

Image source, DSM

Birmingham-based DSM is hoping to use Lyness on Hoy as a new base.

The project could create scores of jobs, as spin-off work for local contractors and income for Orkney Islands Council which owns the site.

Council convener Steven Heddle said: "This project has the potential to create significant employment."

Scottish Labour MSP Jenny Marra asks what progress the government is making with keeping decommissioning jobs in Scotland.

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First up in the chamber this afternoon is portfolio questions.

We begin with the economy, fair work and jobs brief. 

It looks like being a fascinating afternoon in the chamber, with the government potentially facing two defeats in the Conservative debates on the Offensive Behaviour in Football Act and on the NHS.

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Here's the schedule from the Scottish Parliament, please note the later decision time today, it's going to be extremely interesting........

• 2:00 pm Portfolio Questions: Economy, jobs and fair work; finance and the constitution
• 2.40-3.10 pm Ministerial Statement: Response to Audit Scotland NHS 2016 Report, and Service Development

• 3.10-4.20 pm Scottish Conservative Debate: Justice (calling for the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour in Football Act)

• 4.20-5.30 pm Scottish Conservative: NHS in Scotland 2016

• 5:30 pm Decision Time

• 5:30 pm Members' Business — Sandra White: Welfare Conditionality Study

That brings the public part of today's education committee.

We'll be back this afternoon at 14:00 with portfolio questions.

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Conservative MSP Ross Thomson asks about the challenges around the increase in childcare hours and and flexibility for parents and guardians.

Mr Swinney says these questions are under consideration and the government are looking at how parents' needs can be met in terms of hours.

He says child minders might be one way of doing this. 

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SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks if there is a reluctance from local authorities to use child minders.

Mr Swinney says to fulfill the increase in free childcare child minders will be a part of the overall discussion. 

According to SPICE, the government’s financial review highlighted some local authorities that had significant underspends in allocated funding compared to the amount of government funding allocated.

COSLA refuted the figures on local authority underspends and said they would provide the Education Committee with COSLA compiled information that would demonstrate the basis for this position. 

A holding response dated 26th October explains the October holiday has caused a delay in providing this information.  

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Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks if the government's role is inhibiting the inquiry in terms of the approach of it.

Mr Swinney says Susan O'Brien QC resigned from office in July, she was not removed by the government.

Ms Lamont says "she was not very happy, was she?"

Mr Swinney says "it is a matter of fact, she resigned from office."

Earlier this month, the senior judge appointed to lead the Scottish government's child abuse inquiry has urged victims and witnesses to come forward.

Lady Smith said she was determined to find out "what happened, where, how and why".

The inquiry will examine historical allegations of child abuse in Scotland.

It is expected to last four years, and will look at the extent of abuse of children in care and identify any systemic failures.

The deputy first minister says he has no desire for the government to have any involvement in the inquiry which is not appropriate. 

He says he has met with individual survivors and survivor groups.

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Mr Swinney says if he does extend the remit of the inquiry then it will broaden it and it will take longer and he has to bear in mind that survivors want to see progress with it.

He says the question of redress is being actively explored.

The education secretary says he has put in train measures to satisfy himself the arrangements are appropriate in the Survivors Scotland Fund.

Education Secretary John Swinney acknowledges the significance of the issues raised about the child abuse inquiry and says he has kept the committee updated on this.

Mr Swinney says he listens to survivors who say they feel that the inquiry has not fulfilled their expectations because it has not been heard by a judge.

He says this is why he appointed Lady Smith to lead the inquiry and he believes this fulfills that requirement.

Mr Swinney says he has discussed extending the remit with Lady Smith so assertions to the contrary are incorrect.

Image source, Scottish government

Senior judge Lady Smith was appointed as the new chairwoman of the Scottish government's child abuse inquiry.

It followed the resignation of Susan O'Brien QC, who quit the post earlier this month citing government interference in the inquiry.

A second member of the three-person panel, Prof Michael Lamb, also resigned over similar concerns.

The inquiry will examine historical allegations of child abuse in Scotland.

It is expected to last four years, and will look at the extent of abuse of children in care and identify any systemic failures.

But it has been criticised from the start by survivors of abuse, and was left with Glenn Houston as its only panel member after both Ms O'Brien and Prof Lamb resigned within days of each other.

Image source, Scottish government

In July a survivors' group has said they have lost confidence in the Scottish government's child abuse inquiry

It follows the resignation of chairwomen Susan O'Brien, who stepped down after the deputy first minister began formal proceedings to sack her.

The In Care Survivors group said the handling of the inquiry and accusations of government interference had been "traumatising" for abuse victims.

John Swinney denied interfering and said due process was being followed.

• The Scottish government has published letters relating to Ms O'Brien's resignation, external
• What events led up to the resignation of Susan O'Brien?

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Scottish Labour MSP Johann Lamont says Scotland is playing catch up in reacting to child abuse.

She raises survivors' concerns about the inquiry into historic child abuse

The Labour MSP says there has been criticism of the Scottish government support for survivors and they do not believe they are getting justice.

SNP MSP Fulton MacGregor asks about the child protection review and how this relates to the wider review into care discussed at FMQs last week.

Mr Swinney says both are quite separate although similar issues may arise from both. 

Mr MacGregor asks if the hearing system will be looked at as a part of this review.

Mr Swinney says it will be and that he recently spoke to someone who experienced a children's hearing at the age of eight and described the difficulties of attending a hearing at that age where everyone is talking about your life. 

Tory MSP Ross Thomson asks what assurances the Scottish government can give that its plans will not create more bureaucracy.

Mr Swinney says collaboration is essential to save money.

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He asks are all the local authorities adding as much value to the education experience across the country.

The education secretary says not all the practice that is being undertaken in Scotland is adding the necessary value.

Conservative MSP Ross Thomson asks how education regions work together and how this relates to their relationships with schools.

Mr Swinney say the government have been challenged to ensure there is more collaboration between local authorities in education. 

The deputy first minister says we are currently doing things in education 32 times - for each local authority. 

He says this is inefficient and that must be addressed. 

Mr Swinney says, in these tight financial times, there must be a more cost effective way to collaborate

He says he is frustrated that there hasn't been much progress on this front.

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Labour MSP Iain Gray asks if there will be a national funding formula dictating decision about the funding of individual schools.

Mr Swinney says there is a consultation around the governance process and he will listen to what is reflected in the process.

Mr Gray asks if stakeholders reject the idea of a national funding formula will the minister listen.

The education secretary says the national funding formula was in the SNP manifesto, but he says he will listen to all the consultation responses.

One of the most senior figures in Scottish local government is vowing to resist any moves to centralise control of education.

David O'Neill, president of local authority body Cosla, said poverty was the main barrier to raising attainment.

Some councillors fear the government plans to cut the role of councils in schools.

The Scottish government said making teachers and parents key decision-makers was "decentralising" power.