Scottish Parliament

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the Scottish Parliament. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
03.05.2013Economic aspects of Scottish independence: public spending
Public spending per head of population is higher in Scotland than the UK as a whole. this note provides detailed statistics on this subject and a comparision with other parts of the UK.
11.04.2013Scottish referendum- the campaign rules
This Note covers the rules which have been proposed in the Scottish independence referendum bill introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 21 March 2013.
28.02.2013Local, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and European Parliament elections: Social Indicators page
Local, Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and European Parliament elections: Social Indicators page. A summary of recent election results.
15.01.2013Referendum on independence for Scotland
The UK and Scottish Governments reached agreement in October 2012 on the legislation needed to hold a referendum on Scottish independence. This Note discusses the agreement, and the draft 'Section 30 Order' by which the UK Parliament will give the Scottish Parliament the power to hold the vote. It also covers the question of the franchise and some reaction to the agreement.
06.07.2012Scotland's economy: current situation and issues related to independence

Research Papers

DateDescription
07.08.2012UK Election Statistics: 1918-2012
This paper presents an overview of results from UK elections since 1918, including elections to the House of Commons, the European Parliament, devolved bodies and local government.
14.06.2011Scotland Bill: Committee Stage Report
This is a report on the Commons committee stage of the Scotland Bill 2010-12. Introduced to the House of Commons on 30 November 2010, its second reading was on 27 January 2011, and its committee stage took place on the floor of the House on 7, 14 and 15 March 2011. Report and third reading are scheduled for 21 June 2011. On 13 June 2011 the Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, announced a package of changes to the Bill in response to issues that had been raised in the UK and Scottish Parliaments, and by the Scottish Government.
24.05.2011Scottish Parliament Elections: 2011
The SNP gained an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament in the elections on 5 May 2011. The paper provides data on voting trends and electoral turnout for constituencies, electoral regions, and for Scotland as a whole.
18.01.2011Scotland Bill [Bill No 115 of 2010-11]
The Scotland Bill was published on 30 November 2010, and is scheduled for second reading on 27 January 2011. The Bill contains provisions to give the Scottish Parliament greater responsibility for raising its own revenue, in addition the borrowing powers of the Scottish Government are extended. The Bill also changes the boundary of devolved powers by amending some of the reserved matters in the Scotland Act 1998. Some new matters are devolved, some are reserved. The Bill also proposes small changes to provisions concerning the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government.
01.02.2008Election Statistics: UK 1918-2007
This paper has been superseded by Research Paper 12/43, UK Election Statistics: 1918-2012.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
15.02.2012Constitution Select Committee (HL) twenty-fourth report on the Referendum on Scottish Independence.
Constitution Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
08.02.2012The referendum on separation for Scotland: Unanswered questions.
Scottish Affairs Select Committee report [Commons]
13.07.2011Constitution Select Committee (HL) seventeenth report on the Scotland Bill.
Constitution Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
17.01.2012JANEY BUCHAN MEP
That this House acknowledges the significant contribution of the late Norman Buchan MP and his wife Janey to Scottish and UK politics; expresses its regret at the recent death of Janey; ...
03.02.2010END OF LIFE ASSISTANCE
That this House supports the provisions of the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill introduced in the Scottish Parliament by Margo MacDonald MSP.
11.01.2010TRANSFER OF POWERS TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
That this House welcomes the recommendations of the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution that responsibility for the law across a range of areas be devolved to the Scottish Parliament; ...
01.12.2009YOUR SCOTLAND, YOUR VOICE WHITE PAPER
That this House notes the publication of the Scottish government's White Paper on independence, Your Scotland, Your Voice; and believes that the people of Scotland should be given a ...
23.02.2009PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE
That this House notes that support for Scottish independence is rising, with the latest TNS System Three poll finding 38 per cent. of people in Scotland in favour; further notes that ...

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords