Time-a-changing for McConnell

Scotland's first minister should face additional scrutiny, according to a cross-party committee of MSPS.

The Scottish Parliament's procedures committee has recommended that First Minister's Questions should be extended by 10 minutes to half an hour.

It has also supported a move to bring questioning of Jack McConnell forward from mid-afternoon to noon on Thursdays.

The new timeslot is designed to make it easier for school parties to visit.

We intend to review the results of the change after Christmas Iain Smith commitee convener

If today's report by the committee is agreed by parliament, First Minister's Questions will move to noon for a trial period starting on 11 September.

Up to now, First Minister's Questions, where Mr McConnell is quizzed by other party leaders and MSPS from across the chamber, has taken place at 1510.

Mr McConnell expressed his support for a move to a new timeslot and extension in a letter to parliamentary Presiding Officer George Reid.

Procedures Committee convener Iain Smith said: "It was clear to our committee that increasing the time available for First Minister's Question Time by 10 minutes is widely supported."

However, Mr Smith said submissions to the committee revealed that there was less consensus about the new time.

'Review results'

The BBC, which provides live coverage of First Minister's Questions in its Holyrood Live programme, expressed concern that the move to an earlier slot could have a negative impact on viewing figures.

Mr Smith said: "Our committee has, therefore, proposed a trial period of at least a few months for First Minister's Question Time to move to noon on Thursdays.

"We believe that regularity within the parliamentary week is very important.

"The timetable does, after all, impact on school visits, broadcasters as well as on MSPs.

"We intend to review the results of the change after Christmas."

The recommendation will be debated on Wednesday.