MSPs could be forced to work longer hours at Holyrood under changes unveiled by the new presiding officer.
The proposals by Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Tricia Marwick, who took up the PO role in May, are being considered as part of a revamp of the parliament’s so-called ”family friendly” hours.
At present, MSPS attend the Edinburgh chamber for only one and a half days a week on Wednesday afternoons and Thursdays.
They sometimes meet on Tuesdays to attend committees, but most £57,000-a-year politicians are normally finished by tea-time.
This has prompted criticism that not enough time is put aside to scrutinise important legislation, ask questions and hold ministers to account.
Ms Marwick has written to Holyrood’s Standards Committee asking it to study the time spent working at the parliament by MSPs.
Among her suggestions is that they meet for an extra full session on Tuesday afternoons.
She said: ”My ambition is for a parliament that is responsive to developments and meets the needs of the people of Scotland by ensuring topicality and relevance in its deliberations.
”The current time gap between the parliament rising on a Thursday evening and resuming on a Wednesday afternoon means that the parliament may not always be in a position to respond to emerging or urgent issues.
”I consider this to be a weakness that could be addressed by, for example, the parliament meeting in plenary session on three afternoons a week to reduce the times during which the parliament is not able to consider issues; and committees meeting on three mornings a week.”