The wooden beam came loose above MSPs in the chamber Enlarge Image

Members had to evacuate the chamber in early March after a roof beam swung loose during a debate.

Presiding Officer George Reid said phase one of the repair work had been completed. Phase two, a permanent repair, will be done over the summer.

Mr Reid said parliament was "bigger than the building" and he hoped MSPs could now put the episode behind them.

The work involved abseilers installing yellow straps around the ends of all the struts in the complex chamber roof.

Repair pressures

Blue straps were also secured along 18 struts which take tension.

The temporary fix guarantees the safety of the roof.

Mr Reid said: "I want to thank all those who, under considerable pressure, stayed focused on the restoration of the roof and the continuation of parliamentary business.

"Apart from a few hours on the day when the strut swung loose, we have not lost a single minute of parliamentary business."

Structural engineers Arup said that despite the continuing absence of the strut which swung free, it was satisfied that the chamber could be brought safely back into use.