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MSPs give mixed reviews to Holyrood home
Debating chamber

The final MSPs have taken up residence in the £431 million Scottish parliament building.

Three years behind schedule and more than nine times over budget, Labour and Liberal Democrats were on Tuesday unpacking their cases in the new Holyrood building.

Members from the Green Party, the Scottish Socialists and the SNP took up residence on Monday.

David McLetchie, the Tory leader, said he was "delighted" to finally be entering his office.

But already the building is receiving a mixed response from Scotland's legislators.

Each MSP has a 15 square metre office, which offers bespoke storage and a window seat which will provide inspiration on the issues confronted by the people's representatives.

However a series of members have complained about poor light levels.

Bars designed by the late architect Enric Miralles are said to stop light entering some MSPs' windows.

Others have said the building is too warm - complaining about the inability to open more than one office window.

The building has already been hit by flooding - prompting concern that it could be susceptible to water from nearby springs.

But it is not all bad news for the parliament's managers.

Ted Brocklebank, a Tory MSP, has described his new home as "sensational".

However, other MSPs are questioning the quality of the finishes in the new building.

Former SNP MSP Campbell Martin, who now sits as an independent, has complained about the "shoddy" work in his office.

Martin told the Scotsman newspaper that he knew "a good plasterer from Ardrossan who could give it a finishing coat".

Published: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 12:13:03 GMT+01