The SPCB had previously agreed that the entire Parliamentary complex should be a smoke free environment. The Presiding Officer Sir David Steel wrote to all Members asking them to refrain from smoking.

An examination of the Parliamentary estate showed that it would also be impossible to provide ‘smoking rooms’ without significant additional expenditure – estimated to be at least £30,000.

Before concluding consideration of the smoking issue, the SPCB agreed to examine the possibility of backing up a smoking ban with help and information on services available to help those wishing to give up.

The SPCB looked particularly at advice and support services and the provision of nicotine patches, and agreed that they would provide 50 per-cent of the costs of such provision for the smokers among the 320 Parliamentary staff and 176 MSPs staff who wished to give up smoking. They also agreed that this contribution would not be available to the 129 MSPs, who would be expected to foot the entire bill themselves.

After the meeting, Sir David said:

"We are clear that there should be no smoking within the entire Parliamentary complex, and we intend to vigorously enforce this. However, as responsible employers, we are seeking to provide support and encouragement to those smokers who wish to give up.

"We estimate that – on the basis of expert figures suggesting one-third of the adult population of Scotland smokes – there might be around 160 smokers among the staff of the Parliament and the staff of MSPs on our payroll.

"We think it reasonable to ask those committed to stopping to pay 50 per-cent, and estimate that, at most, this will cost the Parliament £5,000.

"We will also draw staff and Members’ attention to the many free sources of advice that are available to smokers seeking to kick the habit and will be circulating to all those within the Parliamentary complex a list of nearby smoking facilities."

Car Parking

The SPCB has agreed not to pursue the option of leasing car parking spaces for MSPs in the vicinity of the temporary Parliament at The Mound.

It was felt that most Members travelled to and from the Parliament via public transport and that those who required to travel by car should be required to find public parking spaces nearby and claim, as permitted, from their travel allowances.

A small number of spaces are available in the basement of the Parliamentary HQ on George IV Bridge, and the SPCB agreed that these should be available on a booking system. Of the 19 available spaces, six are allocated to staff (security etc) required to travel outwith public transport times, two for disabled drivers and three for Parliament pool cars. The remaining spaces will be made to Members on a booking basis, particularly for those bringing heavy equipment etc to and from the building.

Sir David said:

"We were not willing to pay the considerable costs to lease spaces at nearby locations, such as the Castle Esplanade and multi-story car parks. As most MSPs appear to travel via public transport, this would not have provided good value for money.

"Related to this, we have also agreed to examine the possibility of providing additional secure cycle spaces at PHQ – the current level of 32 spaces is already well utilised."