MSPs warned not to let party animals overrun parliament

Published on Monday 7 July 2008 10:27

THE Scottish Parliament is at risk of becoming "partyville", it was warned today, as figures revealed the number of events held at Holyrood had doubled.

The building is proving such a popular venue for receptions that parliament bosses are to make more space available for evening events.

At the moment, only the garden lobby can accommodate gatherings of more than 100 – and it is normally used for receptions at least two evenings a week when parliament is in session.

But now both the members' restaurant and the public entrance foyer are to be opened up for such occasions as well. Around 400 events have been held in the parliament over the past 12 months – more than double the number in the first year after the building opened four years ago.

Holyrood bosses are pleased that the parliament is proving so popular.

But they also fear some organisations see it as a prestigious venue they can use for corporate-style hospitality.

One insider said: "There is a danger this place could become the best conference centre and party venue in Edinburgh."

Events in the parliament are intended to promote public engagement with MSPs. But the insider said: "There are some events in the parliament where not many MSPs turn up – and there are also some events where they don't particularly want MSPs to turn up.

"We want to be an open and accessible parliament but we have to be careful we don't allow it to be used for what is effectively corporate hospitality."

Outside organisations can ask MSPs to host events or receptions on their behalf, but there is supposed to be some link to parliamentary business.

Under the parliament's guidelines, all events must be sponsored by an individual MSP, a committee, cross-party group or the corporate body.

There has been a steady increase in the number of events – from 174 in the year from September 2004 to August 2005 to 253 in 2005-06, 284 in 2006-07 and a projected total of more than 400 in the full year to August this year. Extra staff have already had to be drafted in to cope with the growing numbers.

But a report by officials to the cross-party Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body said: "We also need to increase the range of venues we can use for events within parliament if the demand is to be met."

The corporate body agreed the entrance foyer could be offered in future and the members' restaurant should also be used on a trial basis.

Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald said there was a danger of the parliament becoming seen as "freeloaders hall".

But she said: "I don't think we're at that stage yet. There are still lots of people coming to the parliament for the first time.

"I encourage them to come and become familiar with it because I want people to see this as the centre of decision-making in Scotland."