The bill was aimed at reducing crime

The proposals were brought forward by independent MSP Margo MacDonald.

She argued that her Prostitution Tolerance Zones Bill would reduce crime and nuisance and make it easier to help vulnerable women.

However, the Scottish Parliament's local government committee urged MSPs to reject the proposals amid fears that they would condone soliciting.

MSPs agreed with the committee and voted by 86 to 11 to reject the bill at stage one following a debate.

'Minimise criminality'

Ms MacDonald argued that her bill did not seek to "condone or promote" prostitution.

She said it was a "pragmatic, workable and legal" way of managing street prostitution.

"It does seek to minimise the criminality associated with prostitution and to enable health and social services to be more easily delivered to a group of very vulnerable people," she told MSPs.

The Scottish National Party's Tricia Marwick said councils already had powers to protect the health and safety of prostitutes and the communities where they operated.

I think we would end up in a legal quagmire if we passed this bill John Young Tory MSP

"Prostitution is an abuse of women," she said.

"This legislation will in effect allow local authorities to manage and legalise an activity associated with the abuse of women."

Tory MSP John Young said: "I appreciate what Margo is trying to do, but I think there are far too many unanswered questions and I think we would end up in a legal quagmire if we passed this bill."

Liberal Democrat MSP Margaret Smith said the removal of a tolerance zone in Edinburgh had dispersed prostitution throughout the city, making it more difficult for police to monitor.

"These women have to be supported and we are more likely to be able to do that if we are able to have a geographic area in which they can be dealt with," she argued.

'Sensible way forward'

The local government committee described the existing laws as unacceptable and called for an urgent examination of the issue.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry described this as "a sensible way forward."

"I think it would only be fair to allow the new administration to set it up," he said.