ABERDEEN has won the battle to host the Scottish Parliament next May when the Church of Scotland reclaims its traditional meeting place on the Mound in Edinburgh for its General Assembly.

A joint bid by the city council and Aberdeen University has been successful in attracting the parliament from the central belt for the first time.

Last year the parliament moved to Glasgow, but this year it was able to remain in place because the assembly was held in the Usher Hall. However, the assembly requires access to its premises next year. Several other places were under consideration for the three-week period beginning May 27 including Glasgow, Dumfries, Dundee, and

Dunfermline.

Glasgow was ruled out, having already played host, and the final choice is understood to have been between Aberdeen and Dumfries.

Announcing that Aberdeen had been recommended, Sir David Steel, presiding officer and chairman of the parliamentary bureau which made the decision, said: ''One of the parliament's key guiding principles is the need for accessibility, and this does not just mean providing public facilities in Edinburgh or the central belt.

''This is a parliament for the whole of Scotland, and I hope that we have demonstrated our commitment with committee meetings throughout the country, including Galashiels, Dumfries, Stornoway, and Inverness.

''The fact that our agreement with the Church of Scotland meant we would be required to vacate the Assembly Hall again next May - as we did in 2000 - provides the ideal opportunity to meet outside Edinburgh.

''Our time in Glasgow in May 2000 was very successful, and showed what is possible when the parliament works in close co-operation with a local authority. On this occasion, the bureau felt we should go outside the central belt. I am sure Aberdeen, if approved by the parliament, will prove equally popular and we are grateful to Aberdeen City Council and the University of Aberdeen for the work they have already done preparing a bid and co-operating fully with our

officials.''

The joint council and university bid identified King's College Conference Centre as the meeting point for parliament. The centre opened in 1991 and the auditorium holds 150 delegates, with individual stations fitted with microphones.

The gallery can provide seating for 60 members of the public. The joint bid also guaranteed that ancillary facilities will be provided for members and staff.

''This is a massive vote of confidence in Aberdeen by the Scottish Parliament,'' said Len Iron- side, council leader. ''It not only demonstrates that Aberdeen has the facilities to stage such a prestigious event but it restores my faith about devolution.''

Professor C Duncan Rice, principal of Aberdeen University, said: ''The new parliament holds the promise of a new political landscape for Scotland. The parliament has committed itself to having a presence in every region of the country. I am honoured that the Scottish Parliament has agreed to come to the University of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's great ancient universities, with an international

profile.''

Although the Assembly Hall chamber is likely to be unavailable for three weeks during the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, the temporary venue should be used for only one week.

The parliament is likely to meet for three full days, giving committees the opportunity to meet frequently in the other two weeks that it is out of the Assembly Hall.