Devolution to Scotland and Wales

The Government intends to give the people of Scotland and Wales more control over their own affairs by setting up a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly. These plans were supported by the Scottish and Welsh people in referenda held in September 1997.

The Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh will have 129 members -7.3 directly elected on a constituency basis, plus 56 elected by proportion of representation, and will open in 1999 for a four-year fixed term. It will have the same powers as those currently exercised by Scottish Office Ministers and will be able to make laws and raise or lower the basic rate of income tax'by up to three per cent. Scotland will continue to elect MPs to Westminster to represent Scottish interests.

The Welsh Assembly, which will open in May 1999 in Cardiff, will have 60 members, directly elected every four years. It will debate issues of concern in Wales and be responsible for the current Welsh Office's budget, but the Principality will continue to share the same legal system as England.