Passing clouds...

The Scotsman website has this story:

"SCOTTISH Parliament bosses were today accused of hypocrisy after they created a special smoking zone for MSPs and staff.
Part of the courtyard of historic Queensberry House, which is used as an entrance for visiting dignitaries, has been set aside as a "designated smoking area" complete with bins for cigarette ends.
The move comes less than six weeks after the cross-party Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body trumpeted its decision not to go ahead with a smoking shelter in the same location.
At the time, parliament sources claimed the shelter had been ruled out not only on price grounds - it could have cost as much as £40,000 - but also as a matter of principle.
But today one MSP said the only difference between a shelter and a smoking zone was an expensive roof. "

What can one say? There are perfectly sensible reasons for providing the inmates with a place to smoke, thus avoiding upsetting the neighbours. But the parliamentary authorities want it both ways - they want to be seen to take the high moral ground, then they dig a hole and jump in.