The Scottish Parliament website provides a comprehensive account of all aspects of Parliamentary business, both in the Chamber and committees. This includes forthcoming meetings as well as the full text of all proceedings since May 1999. It also holds a complete archive of all other Parliamentary publications, including reports, Parliamentary Questions, motions and research. There are sections of the site devoted to the Members and elections to the Parliament, to visitor information and facilities, to educational material for teachers and young people, and to content in Gaelic. There is an active news section, links to the webcasting service provided by the Parliament's Broadcasting Unit, and full contact details for the Parliament.
Legislation
Section 28(1) of the Scotland Act 1998, which established the Scottish Parliament, provides that "subject to section 29, the Parliament may make laws, to be known as Acts of the Scottish Parliament".
Bills are draft Acts of the Scottish Parliament and they become law only if passed by the Parliament and then given Royal Assent. Further information about Bills Before the Scottish Parliament is available from the Scottish Parliament web site.
A list of UK Parliament bills can be accessed from the Bills Before Parliament web page.
Welsh and Scottish Business in the House of Commons - see HCIO Factsheets (Procedure series) (
PDF 167 KB)
Related Links
Further information about Scottish Bills in Progress is available from the Scottish Parliament web site.
The National Assembly website provides a full record of Plenary session proceedings as well Assembly publications, reports and consultations. There are sections outlining the history of the Assembly and what it does, details of each Assembly Member and visitor information. Upcoming business not just for Plenary sessions but for all the committees is also available. Uniquely it also publishes minutes of Assembly Cabinet meetings and Cabinet papers. All this information can be accessed in the Welsh language. The Assembly's press releases are available as are contact details for Members.
Legislation
The Government of Wales Act 1998 largely defines the make-up, powers and functions of the National Assembly. The basis of the Assembly's powers to form policy and take decisions in particular areas of responsibility are listed in the Wales (Transfer of Functions) Orders.
Welsh and Scottish Business in the House of Commons - see HCIO Factsheets (Procedure series) ( PDF 167 KB)
Related Links
Further information about Welsh Assembly Legislation is available from the National Assembly for Wales web site.
The Northern Ireland Assembly web site provides information about the work of the Assembly which was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement and meets in Parliament Buildings. The Assembly is the prime source of authority for all devolved responsibilities and has full legislative and executive authority. The Northern Ireland Assembly was suspended at midnight on 14 October 2002. Power was restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007.
Legislation
Delegated legislation dealing with certain reserved matters, and some Bills or Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly, are subject to Parliamentary procedure. This is listed in the Weekly Information Bulletin. The full text of Northern Ireland Orders in Council since 1987 is available on the HMSO website
Further information about Northern Ireland Business and Legislation is available from House of Commons Factsheet L8 (Legislation series) ( PDF 264 KB)
Regional Assemblies
Voluntary regional chambers have been established in each of the eight English regions outside London, and these all now call themselves "regional assemblies". These are not the statutory, elected regional assemblies for which preparatory provisions are set out in the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill [Bill 3 2002-03].
For further information on Regional Chambers and Regional Development Agencies, please see the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's web page on the subject.
For information about the The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill [Bill 3 of 2002/03], please see the Public Bills before Parliament web page.
Other information is also available from the House of Commons Library Research Papers web page, in particular, Research Paper 02/62 on The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill [Bill 3 of 2002/03] ( PDF 372 KB) 
dated 21.11.2002
Useful Links
Further information and links for central government, local government and other related web sites are available on our Related Links page.
Additional information is also available on the UK Parliament Elections page.