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$Unique_ID{bob00512}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{United Kingdom
Scotland}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC}
$Subject{scotland
scottish
department
government
office
services
departments
development
law
secretary}
$Date{1990}
$Log{}
Title: United Kingdom
Book: Britain's System of Government
Author: Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC
Date: 1990
Scotland
Scotland has its own system of law and wide administrative autonomy. The
Secretary of State for Scotland, a Cabinet minister, has responsibility in
Scotland (with some exceptions) for formulating and carrying out policy
relating to agriculture and fisheries, education, law and order, environmental
protection and conservation of the countryside, land-use planning, local
government, housing, roads and certain aspects of transport services, social
work and health.
The Secretary of State also has a major role in the planning and
development of the Scottish economy, and important functions relating to
industrial development, with responsibility for financial assistance to
industry. He is also responsible for the Scottish Development Agency, the
Highlands and Islands Development Board and new town development corporations,
together with the training activities of the Department of Employment in
Scotland and for the Scottish Tourist Board and the careers service. The
Secretary of State plays a full part in determining energy policy,
particularly in relation to responsibility for the electricity supply industry
in Scotland. He is also responsible for government interest in a range of
other functions from fire services to sport and for overseeing many
non-departmental public bodies.
The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for legal services in
Scotland and is advised by the two Scottish Law Officers, the Lord Advocate
and the Solicitor General for Scotland (see below).
The distinctive features and the different conditions and needs of
Scotland and its people are reflected in separate Scottish legislation on many
domestic matters or else in special provisions applying to Scotland alone,
inserted in Acts which otherwise apply to Britain generally.
The Secretary of State discharges his responsibilities principally
through the Scottish Office's five departments, supported by Central Services
(see p 28) and through four smaller departments: the Department of the
Registers of Scotland (now an executive agency), the Scottish Record Office,
the General Register Office for Scotland and the Scottish Courts
Administration.
British government departments with significant Scottish responsibilities
have offices in Scotland with delegated powers and work closely with the
Scottish Office. The British headquarters of several government departments
are located in Scotland.
An outline of the main functions of the Scottish departments is given
below.
Department
Functions
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
Promotion of the agricultural and fishing industries.
Scottish Development Department
Environment, including environmental protection and conservation of the
countryside; land use planning; water supplies and sewerage; ancient monuments
and historic buildings; general policy relating to local government; housing;
building control; roads and certain transport functions.
Scottish Education Department
Education (excluding universities); student awards; libraries; museums
and galleries; sport and recreation; the arts; social work services.
Scottish Home and Health Department
Central administration of law and order (including police service,
criminal justice, legal aid and penal institutions); the National Health
Service; fire, home defence and civil emergency services.
Industry Department for Scotland
Industrial and regional economic development matters; energy; tourism;
urban regeneration; new towns.
Central Services
Services to the five Scottish departments. These include the Office of
the Solicitor to the Secretary of State, the Scottish Information Office,
Finance Divisions and Local Government Finance.
Lord Advocate's Department and Crown Office
Provision of legal advice to the Government on issues affecting Scotland
and the principal representation of the Crown for litigation in Scotland by
the Law Officers of the Crown for Scotland (the Lord Advocate and the
Solicitor General for Scotland); control of all prosecution in Scotland.
Scottish Courts Administration
Organisation, administration and staffing of the Supreme and Sheriff
courts and court offices; jurisdiction and procedure of civil courts;
enforcement of judgments; and programme of Scottish Law Commission.
Other Administrative Departments
General Register Office for Scotland; Scottish Record Office; Department
of the Registers of Scotland.