The Scottish parliament's annual report has hailed the success of MSPs in passing 22 bills and completing 40 inquires.

Hot on the heels of a new controversy over the still rising costs of the new Holyrood building, the fourth annual report sought to shift the focus onto the work done both in the main chamber and by parliamentary committees.

Statistics show that MSPs spent nearly 1,300 hours in the main chamber and in committee, and heard evidence from some 1,700 witnesses.

Issues most frequently cropping up in debate north of the border reflect the issues where the parliament has the greatest powers.

Health issues, public services, transport, rural issues and the fishing industry were found to figure highly in the concerns of MSPs.

The new presiding officer, elected after May's elections, said the report allowed the parliament to "take stock" of how it had developed.

"It provides a snapshot for the public, showing the range of topics discussed, the legislation passed and the efforts made by the parliament to ensure that all voices in Scotland are heard," said George Reid.

"Once again, committees have been prolific in their output, growing in confidence and authority," he also noted.

Legislation

• For the period May 12 2002 to March 31 2003: 22 bills were passed.

Time

• Total time spent discussing issues in the chamber: 343 hours and 14 minutes.

• Total time spent in committees: 937 hours and 36 minutes (May 12002- March 31 2003).

Members' Business debates

• A total of 64 members' business debates were held in this period.

• The most frequently debated subjects were health topics such as epilepsy, osteoporosis, primary care, and post-natal depression, followed by transport issues such as A9 Perth to Inverness road, ferry services, air and rail links. Housing, drugs, debt, sport and environmental concerns were also each featured several times.

Committees

• A total of 17 full committee meetings took place outside Edinburgh including those in Lerwick, Inverness, Orkney, Skye, Glasgow, Paisley, Kirkcudbright, Kingussie, Dumfries, Huntly and Lochgilphead.

• There were 45 fact-finding visits (37 in Scotland) made by teams of MSP reporters including visits to Canonbie, Lockerbie, Gretna Green, St. Andrews, HMP and YOI Glenochil, East Kilbride, Hamilton, Colonsay, Buckie and Spey Valley.

• Ten major civic participation events were held.

• The Land Reform Bill was considered by Justice 2 Committee in 11 meetings held over 26 hours.

• Public Petitions have considered 620 petitions since 1999.

Visitors

• May 2002 - April 2003: The visitors centre at George IV Bridge had 24,000 visitors.

• The Holyrood visitor centre had 30,000 visitors.

• The public galleries had 30,000 visitors.

• The Public Enquiry Unit received 60,000 calls and 10,000 enquiries in writing.

• An Open Day attracted 4,000 visitors at the Mound and 700 at Holyrood.

Education

• Around 16,000 young people have now visited the parliament as part of the school group programme.

External Relations

• More than 500 VIPs have visited the parliament since 1999. High profile addresses this year include those by Her Majesty the Queen; EU commissioner Chris Patten, president of the European Union Pat Cox MEP and EU commissioner Frits Bolkestein.