The parliament is approaching the end of its first term

The new legislation passed final parliamentary hurdles on the second last day of full business before Holyrood shuts down for the 1 May election.

A bill to allow the National Galleries of Scotland to build an extension was passed without the need for a vote.

And legislation to cut the amount of time the Law Society of Scotland takes to handle public complaints against solicitors and a fisheries bill were also passed.

Independent champion

Labour MSP Karen Gillon, convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, called on the parliament to back a bill which would offer greater protection to children and young people.

The Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill will establish an independent champion for children's rights.

He or she will be responsible for making children aware of their rights, raising public awareness, communicating with young people, carrying out investigations and making recommendations for change.

MSPs passed the bill without going to a recorded vote.

David McLetchie: "Modest bill"

Tory leader David McLetchie, who moved the Council of the Law Society of Scotland Bill, said it was "a modest measure" which he hoped would "significantly improve the handling of complaints by the Law Society of Scotland".

The Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill seeks to pull together various pieces of existing legislation.

This was passed by 96 votes for, two against and one abstention.

Independent MSP for Falkirk West, Dennis Canavan, had earlier called for the new law to make amendments to the previous legislation.

Small area of land

He was supported by Stewart Stevenson, Scottish National Party MSP for Banff and Buchan, who said: "It is a grave disappointment that the consolidation does not permit the amendments that would undo that injustice."

The National Galleries of Scotland Bill will empower the trustees of the galleries to build on a small area of land in Princes Street Gardens.

The land is needed for the "Playfair project" of improvements to the National Gallery and the nearby Royal Scottish Academy building.