A parliament spokesman said: "Following a minor incident last week, Lothian and Borders Police erected barriers to ensure people [are] kept at a safe distance from the ponds. The parliament already has planned improvements to the pond edges in place and will discuss if any additional action needs to be taken."

That appeared in The Scotsman on March 2nd 2006.

The discussion of additional action has clearly been thorough since it has taken until October 2009 for the Parliament's Facilities Manager to be able to say in response to my recent complaint: "I am pleased to advise you that after a public procurement exercise (to ensure value for money) a contractor has been appointed to undertake additional perimeter security works. As part of these works there will no longer be a need to have these barriers in the ponds."

Security! Health and Safety's big brother. My heart sank as I visualised a screen of concrete blocks modelled on the WWII anti tank landing precautions that we still see on some of our beaches or possibly Gauntanamo type double fences topped with razor wire. Our very own green zone.

But reassurance came later: "Careful consideration has been given to the design to take account of the iconic status of the Parliament buildings."

That's all right then. When will it be done? - "..and be completed around mid March 2010." That's four years since the tourist stepped into the pond.

But didn't Gordon say last week that there are only 50 days left in which to save the planet? Best not give the job to MSPs then.