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# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Reference

Scottish Parliament – guide

'There shall be a Scottish parliament' Scotland Act 1998, section 1(1)Read More

The Committee Stage of a Bill normally takes place in a Standing Committee. A new Standing Committee is set up for each Bill, although there are normally no more than eight at one time. Even though the membership is different each time a Standing Committee is set up, they are always given the names Standing...Read More

Smoking ban

The smoking ban came into force in Scotland on March 26th 2006. In Wales, it was enforced from April 2nd. In Northern Ireland, the ban came into effect on April 30th. England followed suit on July 1st 2007, with the entire UK now officially smoke-free in public places.Read More

Second Reading (Commons)

A debate on the Second Reading of a Bill is a debate on its general principles (on the motion 'that the Bill be now read a Second time). It is normally at least two weeks after introduction. The MP in charge of the Bill opens the debate by outlining the Bill's provision and making the...Read More

State Opening of Parliament/The Queen’s Speech

The State Opening, with all its pageantry and pomp, marks the beginning of a new Parliamentary Session. The monarch comes to the Palace of Westminster and announces the Government’s legislative programme for the coming Session to dignitaries and peers in all their finery and to MPs called to the House of Lords for the occasion....Read More

Statements (Lords)

By convention, the House expects to be the first to be informed of important issues, including new government policy announcements and updates on developing situations. Ministers will, therefore, often address the House in a statement. Statements normally follow oral questions, but, with the agreement of the Speaker, can take place at any time. Depending on...Read More

Speed Cameras

"Speed cameras" is the common name given to safety cameras operated by local police forces as a means of enforcing speed limits on dangerous roads. Safety cameras are also used to enforce traffic signals, by photographing vehicles driving through red lights.Read More

Secondary Legislation (Scotland)

A statutory instrument's passage through parliament is limited to 40 days from the day on which it was laid. During this period a lead committee and the subordinate legislation committee report to parliament on any issues raised by the instrument and MSPs approve or reject it. They may also debate an instrument. Most statutory instruments...Read More

Sittings (Scotland)

Fridays are normally set aside for constituency business. The parliament meets in plenary on Wednesday afternoons and all-day Thursday. Committees meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and on Wednesday mornings. Rarely, parliament will meet in plenary all day on a Wednesday. The following is a guide to normal recess dates: Summer – normally eight weeks from end...Read More

Special Advisers

A Cabinet Minister may appoint up to two special advisers to his or her departmental staff. Special advisers are temporary civil servants, employed for the duration of an administration to provide a political dimension to the non-partisan work of the general civil service. They are appointed to undertake tasks that would inappropriate for career civil...Read More

Sittings (Wales)

Mondays and Fridays are normally set aside for constituency business. The Assembly meets in plenary session on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Committees meet on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and on Thursdays. Recess dates tend to resemble those for the House of Commons, but they are not required to.Read More