The presiding officer's appeal came as he previewed the resumption of full business for the parliament next week, when a comprehensive programme of legislation and action to address Scottish concerns will be launched.

BBC Scotland's Political Editor Brian Taylor reports

He said that would counter the bad impression created by the parliament's inevitable early focus on housekeeping matters like MSPs' cash.

The former Liberal Party leader also confirmed he will serve only one term as a Member of the Scottish Parliament and Presiding Officer - a role equivalent to that of the Speaker of the House of Commons.

He said: "I think people didn't understand that during the first two months after the election, we didn't have the powers.

'Down to real work'

"We had to sort out our housekeeping things which people are not interested in - why should they be?

"But now we are getting down to real work on behalf of the people of Scotland," he added.

The parliament reconvenes next week

Sir David was elected as a Liberal Democrat list MSP for Lothians region but pledged himself to act with strict political neutrality after taking on the role of presiding officer.

He was the youngest MP at Westminster in 1965 when he was elected at the age of 26.

After his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997, he became Lord Steel of Aikwood.

He faced criticism in the run-up to the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1 July as a list of Scots celebrities turned down their invitations.

But Sir David said he took some satisfaction after the ceremony, attended by the Queen, was judged a success.

Scottish election

Speaking to The Scotsman newspaper, Sir David, who will be 65 at the next Scottish election in 2003, said he would not seek a second four-year term.

He said: "I have said that I am only going to do the first parliament. I have now been in politics for more than three decades.

"I went into politics when I was very young and I have every intention of leaving it when I am reasonably young."

He stressed that the job of presiding officer is more demanding than the public may realise.