Guides

Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland

Following devolution the Scottish Office became the Office for the Secretary of State for Scotland. This is now part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. The secretary of state for Scotland, who is a member of the UK cabinet, exercises the following functions: Representation of Scottish interests in reserved areas Ensuring the smooth-running and success...Read More

Office of the Secretary of State for Wales

Following devolution the Welsh Office became the Office for the Secretary of State for Wales. This is now part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. The Secretary of State for Wales, who is a member of the UK Cabinet, exercises the following functions: Ensuring Welsh interests and needs are considered in policy formulation and consulting...Read More

Oral Questions

Each Department's Ministers face oral questioning at least once every four weeks. Questions for answer by Ministers are tabled up to three days in advance (not including Fridays and weekends). Questions to the Offices of the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must be tabled five days ahead. Each MP can table...Read More

Order

The work of the House of Commons is overseen by the Speaker, who chairs proceedings and keeps order. Two deputies, also MPs who have renounced their party allegiance, act as substitute speakers. MPs elect a Speaker to chair proceedings from among their ranks at the first meeting following a general election. The Speaker immediately renounces...Read More

Other EU Common Policies

Common foreign and security policy and justice and home affairs policy are dealt with in the sections on decision-making under pillars two and three. The EU participates in a range of other policy areas, ostensibly supporting the single market and other economic and social objectives, including environmental protection, health, consumer rights, transport, education, culture and...Read More

Other EU Institutions

The EU includes a number of other bodies that play a role in the legislative process. These are the European Economic and Social Committee (the EESC) and the committee of the regions (the CoR). The EESC has 344 members, allocated to member states by population and appointed by national governments for terms of five years....Read More