Parliamentary News Release

041/2004

18 August 2004

HOLYROOD SYSTEMS PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES IN ADVANCE OF SEPTEMBER BUSINESS

Public areas of the Holyrood complex will be brought to life tomorrow [Thurs] by 450 members of the public who have volunteered to test the facilities. As part of the two-day ‘live-testing’ exercise, the Scottish Parliament’s debating chamber will be put through its paces for the first time.

Public in the debating Chamber

But the first "sitting" in the debating chamber is not for real - it is part of a full scale dress rehearsal to ensure that every aspect of parliamentary business will run as smoothly as possible on Tuesday, September 7, when MSPs begin business proper.

Tomorrow [Thurs] the 129 MSPs' seats in the chamber will be filled by parliamentary staff, who will stage a series of mock debates to check the audio, voting and other systems are functioning properly. On Friday, similar tests will take place in all six of the Parliament’s new committee rooms.

Although the event is a test, visitors will be able to enjoy some of the facilities that will be available when the parliament is up and running for real, including the new exhibition in the Main Hall, and the public cafeteria.

The specially invited volunteers have been drawn from leisure and community groups with links to staff at the new Scottish Parliament, and include several groups with special interests who can specifically comment on areas such as disability access and facilities for the hearing impaired.

Commenting on the live testing programme, Presiding Officer George Reid said:

“During the next two days, Parliament staff will be putting Holyrood through its paces in preparation for the start of business on September 7.

“Activity will be concentrated on the Chamber and Committee Rooms, particularly with regard to the technology but the parliament is also very grateful to the hundreds of people who have volunteered to visit Holyrood tomorrow and who will provide valuable feedback on the public spaces and visitor facilities.”

Campaign group Deaf Action is sending a team of members keen to assess the provision of hearing facilities within the complex.

The Public Restaurant

The parliament has taken careful steps to try to address this requirement, including the fitting of special Loop systems and textphones.

A spokesman for Deaf Action said: "We welcome the positive steps that the Scottish Parliament has taken to date to include deaf people in the political process.

"It gives deaf people hope for the future, that no longer will they be denied opportunity to participate in the issues affecting the future of Scotland."

Nicole Carter is one of 10 staff from Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade who will take part as a volunteer in the rehearsal.

She said: "We're looking forward to having a sneak preview of the parliament. It will be interesting to see areas such as the foyer and debating chamber so we can report back to our friends and colleagues."

The simulation will also mark the first use of the parliament's public entrance at Horse Wynd.

The Chamber will debate issues, cast votes, lodge amendments and even participate in a question time with the "First Minister". Their debates and questions will be based on transcripts from real debates heard in parliament before the summer recess.

Background
Bookings are now being taken for members of the public wishing to watch business in the Chamber and in Committee at Holyrood. Groups of six or more looking to attend between September and December 2004 should contact Parliament's Public Enquiry Unit on
0131 348 5000;
0845 278 1999 (local rate);
0845 270 0152 (local rate textphone) or
fax 0131 348 5601.

Details of how to visit the new building from September 7 are available on the Parliament’s website: www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/visitingHolyrood/index.htm.

The contact for members of the media is:

Barbara Fraser: 0131 348 6265
RNID Type Talkcalls welcome
email: Barbara.fraser@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome on 018001
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk