A Glasgow MSP has called for the Scottish Parliament to “restrict abortion”.

John Mason, Shettleston SNP MSP, has lodged a motion calling on fellow MSPs to use devolved powers to reduce the limit at which abortion is permitted.

Mr Mason said in the motion that premature babies are surviving at an earlier age and they should be able to access medical treatment.

In the motion entitled “both lives matter” he said “the devolution of abortion law means the Scottish Parliament has the opportunity to improve the lives of unborn babies in Scotland.”

He added that a baby’s life does not begin at birth and that “it is now not unusual for a baby to survive if born under 24 weeks”.

READ MORE: Should life mean life for worst criminals?

The MSP said that from the “point of conception two lives are involved” and both woman and baby have a “fundamental right to bodily autonomy, health and proper medical care”.

Mr Mason lodged the motion noting that in New South Wales in Australia abortion has been decriminalised.

He said he lodged the motion in response to a motion by Labour MSP Monica Lennon.

Ms Lennon, the party’s health spokeswoman lodged a motion stating the Scottish Government should improve legal access to abortion.

READ MORE: Delayed discharge costing NHS millions

She said the “two doctors” rule for approving abortion should be removed to “improve a woman’s right to choose” listing several organisations who supported greater freedoms.

Ms Mason said the restrictions he wants are in relation to the time limit and for rules on disability to be looked at.

He said: "If she( Ms Lennon) is calling for greater liberalisation then I think greater restrictions are needed.

"When the law was brought in babies were not surviving at 24 weeks. As time goes by medical science improves. so to keep static there is an argument for reducing the time limit."

He is aware he is out of step with the majority in the SNP on abortion.

However he said: "Not for the first time. Abortion is an issue where there is no party line and we are allowed different views. There are people on both sides,"