1.1 The Government are determined that the people of Scotland should have a greater say over their own affairs. With their agreement we will change the way Scotland is governed by legislating to create a Scottish Parliament with devolved powers within the United Kingdom. This Chapter sets out the historical background and developments since the 1970s.

Historical background

1.2 Following the Union of Crowns of Scotland and England in 1603, the Union of the Scottish and English Parliaments in 1707 created a Parliament of Great Britain meeting in London.

1.3 A Secretary of State for Scotland was appointed in the first post-union Government. After 1745 however no such appointment was made; and while responsibility for Scotland during the majority of the ensuing period lay with the Home Secretary, most of the effective political power was exercised by the Lord Advocate. This system lasted until 1885 when the office of Secretary for Scotland was created. The status of the office of Secretary for Scotland was enhanced in 1926 to that of Secretary of State. As the Secretary of State’s responsibilities gradually increased, St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh became the headquarters of The Scottish Office in 1939 and the functions of The Scottish Office in London were transferred to Edinburgh. In recent years, further administrative devolution to The Scottish Office has taken place, resulting in the addition of major functions such as industrial support, training, higher education and the arts.

Scotland Act 1978

1.4 During the 1970s, in the light of the deliberations of the Royal Commission on the Constitution (the Kilbrandon Commission), the then Labour Government brought forward proposals to establish a Scottish Assembly. In November 1977 a Scotland Bill providing for the establishment of a Scottish Assembly was introduced; it received its Royal Assent on 31 July 1978. The Act required that a referendum be held; and an amendment carried during its Parliamentary passage required that, if less than 40% of the electorate voted in favour of its provisions, an Order repealing the Act should be laid. The referendum was held on 1 March 1979. 1,230,937 voted in favour of an Assembly - a majority in excess of 77,000 - but this represented only 32.9% of the electorate; the Act was repealed by Order on 26 July 1979.

Recent developments

1.5 Since 1988, the cross-party campaign for change has been led by the Scottish Constitutional Convention, comprising Members of Parliament of the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, Labour members of the European Parliament, local authorities, the STUC, business, church and civic groups and other political parties. The Convention’s final report Scotland’s Parliament. Scotland’s Right which was published on St Andrew’s Day, 1995 set out their proposals for a Scottish Parliament.

1.6 The Government have a manifesto commitment to a comprehensive programme of constitutional reform. In its scope, scale and significance this programme will bring about the most ambitious and far reaching changes in the British constitution undertaken by any Government this century. The aim is to make government more accessible, open and accountable. It includes devolution to Scotland and Wales; greater regional government for England and a strategic authority and elected mayor for London (subject to referendums); reforms to both Houses of Parliament; the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights into UK law; and a Freedom of Information Act. This comprehensive programme will give the United Kingdom a modern constitution fit for the 21st Century.

1.7 The manifesto promised legislation to allow the people of Scotland and Wales to vote in referendums to be held by the autumn of 1997 on proposals to be set out in White Papers. That legislation will shortly complete its passage through Parliament and this document is the White Paper on the basis of which the people of Scotland will be invited to make their historic choice.