Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Image source, Getty images

Another approach to getting more work done at Holyrood examined by the commission is expanding working hours, something backed by a number of respondents.

Lord McConnell said the parliament needs to "work harder and longer", suggesting that evening sittings could add much-needed "drama" to a presently "predictable" chamber.

Lord Foulkes said parliament's "preoccupation with 'family friendly' sitting hours has seriously restricted its effectiveness", calling for sittings on weekday evenings and either Monday or Friday to allow "proper time for adequate scrutiny of legislation".

The SNP's parliamentary group suggested having more flexibility in the currently allotted time, saying the current chamber procedure discourages interventions "or more thoughtful contributions" due to the limits on speaking time.

The Labour group also backed this, suggesting the set speaking times and allocated slots per party leave "pre-written and unchallenging speeches" taking up time and "preventing quality debate".

Meanwhile, the Association for Scottish Public Affairs suggested yet another possibility - a "slower legislative process", taking more time over passing new bills so that all the possible consequences can be digested and improvements considered.

SNP MSP John Mason says a recommendation of his is to reduce committee members from 11 to 7.

Mr Mason says this would allow certain committees to be split into two.

The SNP MSP says he agrees the first question in FMQs should perhaps be dropped.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Image source, bbc

One of the few things that more or less all submissions to the committee agree on is that with Holyrood's powers growing, the parliament's capacity is starting to be stretched.

In his written submission, former First Minister Henry McLeish said the current number of MSPs is "incredibly limiting" given the extra powers taken on in recent years.

He said adding to the current cohort of 129 was "of vital practical importance and significance if Holyrood was to be fit for purpose in this rapidly changing political landscape".

This was backed by another former top dog, Alex Salmond, who said a "relatively modest" increase in the number of elected members could help scrutiny.

However, others have spoken out against this; a third former FM, Jack McConnell, said he was "strongly against" increasing the number of MSPs, while several others cited Scotland's relatively healthy ratio of representatives to constituents.

Commission chairman John McCormick has written that, external "much of the evidence we have received would suggest that more MSPs is not the solution", but said it was a possibility which will be examined in the final report.

Green co-convener Patrick Harvie suggested a different approach to expanding capacity. He said "significant change" was needed, with Holyrood "straining at the limits of its capacity for scrutiny", but said this could be rectified by having more public participation through consultations, crowdsourcing and "citizens' juries".

And Tory MSP Alexander Stewart suggested changing the current balance of parliament, saying there were "perhaps too many ministers", leaving "fewer backbench MSPs from the governing party to hold the executive to account".

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson says the last few years has seen the biggest transfer of powers to this chamber.

Ms Davidson says the work and recommendations are balanced but do require more scrutiny and debate.

She says some of the recommendations will improve the ability to hold the government of the day to account.

Ms Davidson says some of the reforms to the format for FMQs may produce "unintentional consequences" because the questions are designed for the parliament to hold the government to account.

She says she is worried that under recommendations the first minister may be able to respond and say that the appropriate minister will write back to the member.

Ms Davidson says that it is important that the first minister is put on the spot to answer questions.

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Image source, ANDREW COWAN / SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Does a parliament less than 20 years old need reforming?

The Commission on Parliamentary Reform was set up to give Holyrood an "MOT", on the basis that the parliament's systems "are not broken" but could do with a metaphorical lick of paint.

However, it has heard calls for "radical" reforms from former first ministers, while one peer described the parliament as "totally inadequate" in scrutinising legislation.

In fact, from the electoral system and the number of MSPs to committee structures and Holyrood's working hours, more or less every aspect of the parliament has been questioned.

One man even sent in some poems, external about how he would like Scotland to be governed.

The group is expected to submit its report to Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh in the summer - and there are some key themes which have emerged.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Colin Beattie says he fully agrees with the commission's report that Holyrood committee's should have no more than seven members.

Mr Beattie says this would release members to be depolyed in new committees.

He warns against renumeration for committee conveners.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks if Mr Beattie thinks ministers sought their role for the same reason.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh welcomes Commission Chairman John McCormick and other members to the public gallery.

Image source, Commission on Parliamentary Reform

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says at least one party in the chamber has a committee whip and he asks if the commission took any evidence on that.

Mr Finnie says the Commission on Parliamentary Reform, external too evidence on that and he says it is commented apon in the report.

He praises the work of the commission chair John McCormick.

Mr Finnie says the commission has piloted the use of technologies to engage with people who are more remote.

The commission member says it wants to re-invigorate the role of MSPs and make the parliamentary bureau more transparent.

Speaking on behalf of the commission, John Finnie says the commission was established by Presiding Officer Ken McIntosh.

Mr Finnie says he was delighted to be a member of the commission in its inception.

The Green MSP says there has been a lot of meaningful engagement by the commission.

He says some people who met with the commission wanted to know more about the parliament and what it does.

Mr Finnie says the commission's report contains 75 recommendations.

Image source, Getty Images

An independent review of the Scottish Parliament has set out more than 70 recommendations for improvements.

The Commission for Parliamentary Reform was set up in October 2016, tasked with giving Holyrood "an MOT".

Suggestions include having committees with elected conveners which can sit at the same time as the main chamber and expanding the legislative process.

Chairman John McCormick said the changes suggested would equip Holyrood to meet future challenges "head on".

The group has heard a wide range of views from respondents including MSPs and several former first ministers.

Some have called for "radical" reforms, including changes to the electoral system, the number of MSPs, sitting hours, ministerial question times and how committees are run.

• Is Holyrood in need of reform?
• Read more here

MSPs debate the Commission on Parliamentary Reform’s Report, external on the Scottish Parliament.

A fiasco is a secretary of state for Scotland who forgets to stand up for Scotland, says Ms Sturgeon.

She says this government will continue to deliver for farmers and others across Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon concludes: "The Scottish Conservatives have let down everyone in Scotland."

Tory MSP Finlay Carson asks whether the Scottish government will meet the 30 June deadline for the processing of 2016 CAP payments.

Ms Sturgeon says the government is doing all that it can to do so and rapid progress is being made on a daily basis.

Mr Carson says rural Scotland has lost all faith in this government.

He says the fiasco must come to an end. He says it is "Payment Fiasco 2" and he asks if there will be a further fiasco next year.