McConnell touts Holyrood changes

The First Minister, Jack McConnell, has touted a series of changes to the way the Scottish Parliament conducts its business.

He said he believed that Holyrood could be improved through greater spontaneity, more time for backbench speeches and some flexibility in working hours.

The possible changes were outlined in a letter to the new presiding officer, George Reid, congratulating him on his appointment.

I would be very keen to see more time devoted to questions

Jack McConnell

Mr McConnell also offered his own reflections on the first four years of the parliament and his 18 months as first minister.

Mr McConnell writes: "In general terms I believe that the performance of the parliament as a whole would be enhanced through greater spontaneity, more time for backbench speeches and some flexibility in, or an extension to, the working hours of the parliament.

"In terms of first minister questions (FMQs), I would be very keen to see more time devoted to questions.

"Perhaps extending the time allocated from 20 minutes to 30 minutes but ensuring that the new arrangement would extend the opportunity for questions from the backbenches."

Mr McConnell said that the current finishing time of 1530 BST for FMQs meant that many interested schoolchildren could not attend.

'More flexible'

"Using a slot before lunchtime on a Thursday would I believe make sense," he said.

"It would free up time for debates on a Thursday afternoon and make FMQs more accessible for the public."

The first minister also said that he wanted to make the weekly question and answer session "more flexible".

He suggested allowing other party leaders to ask questions on the back of written questions from backbenchers and allowing more time for supplementaries from the backbenches.

"I think this might make FMQ's more free flowing and natural," he said.

George Reid is the new presiding officer

In the letter, Mr McConnell also stated his belief that it "would be good for the parliament" if the first minister was questioned in public twice a year by the convenors of committees.

He said such a move would enhance the "status and profile" of the whole committee system at Holyrood.

The success of the Greens and Scottish Socialists in last week's election appears to have prompted the first minister to think about their role in the chamber.

He wrote: "It is important that the leaders of both the smaller parties are given their chance to question the first minister.

"Perhaps a way of dealing with this would be to give each a slot every fortnight, recognising their new position."

Mr McConnell also believes that Scottish Executive questions should be redesigned on a "thematic basis" and that such a move would give questions and points a "greater depth that the current system".

The alterations would require changes to the parliament's standing orders but Mr McConnell believes these would be straightforward.

He has copied the letter to all parties in the parliament and asked Mr Reid to forward it to the procedures committee for consideration before the summer recess.