ONE of the main debates in the Scottish Parliament this week will be on Thursday when the welfare reform committee will lead a debate on the impact of the UK Government's welfare reform policies.

The previous day the Labour party has chosen to debate the subject of air quality.

It will be a busy week in terms of committee business with the education and culture committee tomorrow examining the BBC's preparations for coverage of the independence referendum and also the Commonwealth Games. It will also take evidence on the same day from experts about cyberbullying.

The justice committee will also meet tomorrow when MSPs will be hearing evidence from union leaders and fire service chiefs on reforms to the fire and rescue service. On the same day the health and sport committee are due to hear from Dr Mary Neal, an adviser to the committee with regard to the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.

Sir John Grieve, former deputy governor of the Bank of England, and Professor Jeremy Peat, director of the David Hume Institute, will be among those giving evidence to the economy, energy and tourism committee on Wednesday, which is holding an inquiry into Scotland's economic future post 2014.

Owen Paterson, the UK environment secretary, and senior Whitehall civil servant Peter Unwin will be questioned by members of Holyrood's rural affairs, climate change and environment committee also on Wednesday.