The Scottish Parliament:

Term	Description

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absolute majority	When the number of members voting for a proposition is more than half of the total number of seats for members of the Parliament or, in the case of a committee or sub-committee, more than half of the number of members of that committee or sub-committee. In a Parliament with 129 seats, 65 votes would be required to obtain an absolute majority. An example of a motion which requires such a majority is one that seeks to remove from office the Presiding Officer or a deputy Presiding Officer (rule 3.5.2).
accompanying documents	The documents that accompany a bill on its introduction. The documents which are required depend on the type of bill, but most public bills are accompanied by a financial memorandum, a policy memorandum, explanatory notes, and a statement on legislative competence signed by the Presiding Officer.
accountable officer	An officer accountable to the Parliament for the actions, including the accounts and audit, of a particular public body, under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, based on the report of the Financial Issues Advisory Group. For example, the Clerk is the principal accountable officer for the parliamentary corporation.
Acts of the Parliament of Scotland	The laws passed by the former Scottish Parliament which ceased to exist in 1707 on the union of the Parliaments.
Acts of the Scottish Parliament (ASP)	The laws that Parliament passes and that receive royal assent. They are numbered: [year] asp [number].
Acts of Union	The respective Acts of the Scottish Parliament and the English Parliament ratifying the 1707 union of the two Kingdoms set out in the Treaty of Union.
ad hoc committee	A committee of the Scottish Parliament established for a specific purpose, for example, to consider particular types of bills such as private bills and consolidation bills.
ad hoc group of Ministers	A group established by the Cabinet either to monitor events which require considerable ministerial input in the short term or to consider unexpected issues and provide advice to Cabinet. Their membership, remit and time-span are agreed by Cabinet but such groups are intended to be time-limited.
additional member system (AMS)	The form of voting system used for the Scottish Parliament. Under AMS, 73 MSPs are elected for single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system and 56 MSPs - 7 for each of the 8 parliamentary regions - are elected using a list system. The number of constituency seats won by each party is taken into account in calculating who is elected on the regional lists, thus ensuring that the overall result is close to proportional.
admissibility criteria	Criteria set out in the Standing Orders that motions, amendments, questions and petitions must satisfy in order to be lodged. For example, amendments to bills must be relevant to the subject matter of the bill.
adviser	A person who can be appointed by the SPCB, with the approval of the Parliamentary Bureau, to assist a committee or sub-committee with an inquiry, including suggesting witnesses and lines of questioning, analysing evidence received and providing advice on technical matters. Different advisers may be appointed for different inquiries.
Advocate General for Scotland	The UK government’s Law Officer for Scottish matters. This post was created at devolution when the posts of Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland were transferred to the Scottish Executive. More information is available on the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland website.
affirmation	On being returned as members, all MSPs are required either to take the oath of allegiance or to make the solemn affirmation before the Clerk at a meeting of the Parliament. The form of the oath is set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868, and the corresponding affirmation, which may be taken instead, is set out in the Oaths Act 1978. An MSP may not participate in any other proceedings of the Parliament until he or she has taken the oath or made the solemn affirmation. An MSP that does not do this, normally within a 2 month period of being returned as an MSP, will cease to be an MSP.
affirmative instrument	A statutory instrument that can only come into force (or remain in force) if it is approved by a resolution of the Parliament. This is generally regarded as the stronger of the two main forms of Parliamentary control over subordinate legislation. See also negative instrument.
allowances code	A set of rules which governs the proper use of allowances payable under the members' allowances scheme.
Allowances Office	The office that is responsible for administering the members’ allowances scheme and processing expenses claims made by members, members' support staff and Parliament staff. In the House of Commons, salaries, expenses and allowances for members and their staff are dealt with by the Fees Office.
allowances scheme	See members allowances scheme.
amendments	Proposed textual changes to motions or bills, lodged by members and published in the Business Bulletin. Amendments to a motion are moved and debated during debates on the motion itself. Amendments to bills are published in marshalled lists and are grouped for debate. They are moved and debated during Stage 2 and Stage 3 proceedings on the bill and, if agreed to, are incorporated into the amended print of the bill published after each of these stages.
Annual Evaluation Report	A spending plan provided by the Scottish Ministers to the Parliament by 31 March each year (or by the first sitting day thereafter), under the written agreement between the Scottish Ministers and the Parliament (SP Paper 155, June 2000), setting out general expenditure proposals for those years for which aggregate figures are then available. The document is provided by the Executive for parliamentary scrutiny in Stage 1 of the annual budget process, leading to the draft budget and the budget bill.
Annual Report	The Parliament publishes an annual report of its activities during the previous year. Each mandatory and subject committee also publishes an annual report on its activities during the Parliamentary year.
appointed day	The day when legislative provisions in an Act come into force. The principal appointed day for the Scotland Act 1998 was 1 July 1999, when the main features of the devolution scheme became operational.
approval (of a bill)	Where a private or public bill has had to go through a process of Reconsideration, the final step of that process is for Parliament to decide whether to approve the bill.
Assembly Hall, Church of Scotland	Temporary location on the Mound in Edinburgh for meetings of the Parliament before completion of the new Holyrood complex.
Audit Adviser	Based in the Audit Office and reporting to the Chief Executive, the Audit Adviser provides advice on public sector audit, finance and corporate governance matters.
Audit Office	The office that provides advice on public sector audit, finance and corporate governance matters.
Audit Scotland	The public sector audit service for Scotland, established by the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. It includes the Auditor General for Scotland. Comparable, in some respects, to the UK National Audit Office. More information is available on Audit Scotland’s website (http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/).
Auditor General for Scotland (AGS)	An officer appointed by the Queen on the Scottish Parliament’s nomination who acts independently of the Parliament and the Executive when carrying out his or her statutory functions in relation to financial control, accounting and audit. The Auditor General for Scotland is responsible for ensuring that bodies which spend public funds provide value for money and adhere to high standards of financial management. Bodies that fall within the remit of the Auditor General for Scotland include departments of the Scottish Executive, National Health Service boards and Scottish Water. The role of the AGS is comparable to that of the UK Comptroller and Auditor General.
Auditor General's report	If a bill contains any provisions charging expenditure on the Scottish Consolidated Fund, one of the accompanying documents required is a report signed by the Auditor General for Scotland setting out his or her views on whether the charge is appropriate.

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backbench, backbencher	Colloquial terms, derived from Westminster, that are used to denote those MSPs who are not Ministers, party leaders or party spokespersons. Sometimes also used of all MSPs other than Ministers and Presiding Officers.
Barnett formula	A population-based formula used to determine changes in each devolved administration’s spending allocation from the UK Parliament. Named after Joel Barnett, Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the late 1970s.
bill	A draft Act introduced into Parliament. A bill is introduced by being lodged with the Clerk. A public bill must be signed by the member introducing it, and may also be signed by any member supporting it. A private bill must be signed by or on behalf of the promoter. Notice of the introduction of a bill is published in the Business Bulletin. Procedures concerning public bills are in chapter 9 of the Standing Orders; those concerning private bills are in chapter 9A of the Standing Orders. A bill introduced in any session of the Parliament will fall if it has not been passed by the Parliament before the end of that session.
bill as amended at Stage 2	The print of a bill in the form in which it was amended at Stage 2 (if the bill was amended during that stage). This enables MSPs and the public to see what changes are made at Stage 2. It is the Stage 2 print that is considered by Parliament at Stage 3 and to which any amendments are proposed.
bill as passed	The print of a bill in the form in which it was passed by the Parliament, before it receives royal assent and becomes an Act. Such a print, for which there is no equivalent in the UK Parliament, enables the final text of a bill to be accessed speedily. In the event of a bill going through Reconsideration proceedings, it is this print that is considered during those proceedings.
block grant	Sometimes called the Assigned Budget or Scottish Block. Strictly that part of the grant paid to the devolved administration that is covered by the Barnett formula – in Scotland’s case at present, all spending within the Departmental Expenditure Limit. Often used to refer either to all funding received from Westminster, or to refer to the entire Scottish Budget.
British-Irish Council (BIC)	An institution established as part of the 1998 Belfast (‘Good Friday’) Agreement to promote consultation and co-operation between the British and Irish Governments, the devolved administrations, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. More information is available on the BIC website (http://www.britishirishcouncil.org/).
Broadcasting Office	The office that oversees the service provided through the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit. It is responsible for producing and distributing all the Parliament's audio-visual output, including webcasting; providing the Parliament with its sound and electronic voting systems; supplying audio-visual material for MSPs and outside organisations; and maintaining an archive of parliamentary proceedings.
budget (or budgeting) process	The three-stage annual process for the parliamentary consideration of the Scottish Executive’s expenditure plans and proposals, based on the recommendations of the Financial Issues Advisory Group (FIAG).
Budget Act	An Act authorising the Scottish Executive's expenditure for the coming financial year.
budget bill	A budget bill is an Executive bill for a Budget Act. By virtue of rule 9.16 of the Standing Orders, budget bills are subject to slightly different parliamentary procedures from other public bills. For example, they can be introduced only by a member of the Scottish Executive.
budget documents	The supporting documents published by the Executive to accompany a budget bill, as set out in the written agreement between the Parliament and the Scottish Ministers on the format of budget documents (SP Paper 155, June 2000). They include capital expenditure plans and operating statements for each programme. These documents are distinct from accompanying documents for the bill, which are published by the Parliament.
Bureau	See Parliamentary Bureau.
Business Bulletin (BB)	A daily publication produced by the Clerk of the Parliament containing details of current and future business, such as the business programme, the daily business list, agendas for committee meetings, written questions, motions, and other matters to be notified to MSPs. It is produced each week day during parliamentary terms and less frequently during recesses.
Business Information Technology (BIT)	The office that is responsible for providing the technological infrastructure, systems, services and applications required to support the business of the Parliament and the administration of the organisation.
business manager	Colloquial term for the MSP appointed by his or her party leader to be that party’s representative on the Parliamentary Bureau and to organise that party’s contributions to debates and other parliamentary business. Equivalent to a 'chief whip' in Westminster. Groups formed under rule 5.2.2 may also have a business manager.
business programme	The agenda for parliamentary business for a specified period ahead, as proposed by the Parliamentary Bureau in a business motion and approved by the Parliament. As well as agendas for meetings of the Parliament, it may include timetables for bills or provisiosn of bills, legislative consent memorandums or legislative consent motions, EU legislation or draft legislation, and subordinate or draft subordinate legislation. The business programme is notified to MSPs in the Business Bulletin.
by-election	The method of filling a vacancy for one of the 73 single-member constituencies if such a vacancy arises during a parliamentary session.

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Cabinet	The group of senior Ministers of the Scottish government appointed by the First Minister under section 47 of the Scotland Act 1998. It normally comprises all the members of the Scottish Executive, apart from the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland. (The term ‘Cabinet’ is not used in the Scotland Act 1998.)
Cabinet Minister	A senior minister appointed to the Cabinet by the First Minister.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning	The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning is responsible for further and higher education, science and lifelong learning, school education, training and skills, HM Inspectorate of Education and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, nurseries and childcare, children's services, children's hearings, social work and HM Social Work Inspectorate.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth	The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth is responsible for the economy, the Scottish Budget, public service reform, de-regulation, local government, public service delivery, cities and community planning, GRO, ROS, relocation, e-government, SPPA, procurement, budgetary monitoring, business and industry including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise' trade and inward investment, corporate social responsibility, voluntary sector and the social economy, community business and co-operative development, European Structural Funds, energy, tourism, land use planning system, climate change, building standards, transport policy and delivery, public transport, road, rail services, air and ferry services, Scottish Water.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing	The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing is responsible for the NHS, health service reform, allied healthcare services, acute and primary services, performance, quality and improvement framework, health promotion, sport, public health, health improvement, pharmaceutical services, food safety and dentistry, community care, older people, mental health, learning disability, substance misuse, social inclusion, equalities, anti-poverty measures, housing and regeneration
Cabinet Secretary for Justice	The Cabinet Secretary for Justice is responsible for criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, anti-social behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, religious and faith organisations
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment	The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment is responsible for agriculture, fisheries and rural development including aquaculture and forestry, environment and natural heritage, land reform, water quality regulation and sustainable development
Cabinet sub-committee	A group established by the Cabinet to consider matters that fall within the remit of several Ministers or that need to be considered collectively over a period of time. Cabinet sub-committees bring together 2 or more Ministers (and can include external members), but their size, membership and duration may vary. They may have decision-making or resource-allocation powers conferred on them by Cabinet. A list of current Cabinet sub-committees can be found on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/).
Cannonball House	One of the buildings around the Royal Mile providing temporary accommodation for the Scottish Parliament. It has been used primarily by the Education Service.
Canongate Buildings	The two buildings within the Parliament complex situated at the foot of the Canongate. BIT, Finance, SPICe and Procurement have offices in these buildings.
Canongate Wall	The boundary wall which runs down to the foot of the Canongate along the façade of the Canongate buildings.
Chamber	See Debating Chamber.
Chamber Desk	The section of the Chamber Office that processes, and advises on the processing of, parliamentary questions, motions and amendments to motions, and produces the Written Answers Report. In the House of Commons, parliamentary questions and motions are dealt with by the Table Office.
Chamber Office	The office that provides clerking support for meetings of the Parliament; for the Parliamentary Bureau; and for the European and External Relations, Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments, Subordinate Legislation and Public Petitions Committees. It operates through nine teams, which advise on rules of procedure; maintain the register of members’ interests, members’ staff interests and cross-party groups; advise on standards issues; deal with the pre-introductory stages of bills and provide support for the different stages of public bills (including committee and members’ bills) and private bills. The office also handles petitions to the Parliament and manages the systems for lodging parliamentary questions, motions and amendments to motions.
Changing to Deliver	Changing to Deliver was launched in January 2003 and is the Scottish Executive's corporate culture change programme. Its aim is to ensure that the Executive is fit to deliver the Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Chief Executive	See Clerk of the Parliament.
civil servants	Officials of the executive arm of government. Staff of the Scottish Executive and related Scottish bodies (known formally as staff of the Scottish Administration) are members of the UK Home Civil Service (section 51, Scotland Act 1998).
Claim of Right	The declaration of Scotland’s constitutional rights and liberties that the former Parliament of Scotland made following the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 (akin to the English Parliament’s Bill of Rights). The term is also used for the declaration that the Scottish Constitutional Convention issued in 1989 in favour of a Scottish assembly based on popular sovereignty.
clerk	An official of the Parliament who provides procedural and administrative support to the Parliament or to a committee of the Parliament.
Clerk of the Parliament	The senior official of the Parliament’s administration, formally described in the legislation as the Clerk of the Parliament (section 20, Scotland Act 1998). Under delegation from the SPCB, he or she is responsible for providing the Parliament with the property, staff and services it requires. The Clerk also acts as the principal adviser to the Presiding Officer and his deputies in the management of Parliament business; and, as Principal Accountable Officer, he or she signs the accounts of the SPCB and reports to the Parliament on the management of the financial resources put at his or her disposal. The position is similar to that of the Clerk of the House in the House of Commons and the Clerk of the Parliaments in the House of Lords.
coalition	A formal arrangement between 2 or more of the parties or groupings represented in the Scottish Parliament to combine to form a government. It is generally expected that coalitions will occur when no single party has an overall majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. Labour and the Liberal Democrats formed coalition governments after the elections in 1999 and 2003.
code of behaviour for the public	A code introduced by the Presiding Officer detailing acceptable behaviour for members of the public attending meetings of the Parliament or committee meetings.
code of conduct	A code of rules and guidance on standards of conduct by MSPs in carrying out their parliamentary duties, agreed by the Parliament following a motion from the Standards Committee. It was adopted by the Parliament on 24 February 2000, with immediate effect. The second edition of this code was published on 1 May 2003. The third edition of this code was published on 4 May 2007. The Standing Orders also provide for a code of conduct on the broadcasting of the Parliament’s proceedings (rule 16.4).
codification bill	A bill that comprehensively restates and, if necessary, clarifies and simplifies the existing law in a particular area, making it legislation rather than common law.
Commissioner for Children and Young People	An independent commissioner appointed under the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003 to promote and safeguard the rights of children and young people.Further information is available on the Commissioner's website (http://www.cypcommissioner.org/).
Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland	An independent commissioner, appointed under the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003, whose role is to monitor, report and advise on ministerial appointments to public bodies in Scotland. More information is available on the website of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.
committee	A body, normally of between 5 and 15 MSPs, chaired by a convener, formed to deal with particular parliamentary business, such as inquiries into Scottish Executive policies and actions, consideration of subordinate legislation, and detailed scrutiny of bills. Subject to the terms of its remit, a committee may propose legislation, as well as scrutinise bills introduced by the Executive or by members. Most committees are either mandatory committees or subject committees, although ad hoc committees may also be established. The remit of each mandatory committee is set out in the Standing Orders; other committees’ remits are set out in the resolution by which they are established.
committee bill	A public bill introduced by the convener of a committee under rule 9.15.7 of the Standing Orders to give effect to a proposal for legislation from the committee that the Parliament has agreed to.
Committee Chambers	One of the buildings around the Royal Mile used as temporary offices for the Scottish Parliament, housing the committee rooms, the Visitor Centre, offices, and the Shop.
Committee of the Whole Parliament	Stage 2 of a bill may be taken, in whole or in part, in plenary session rather than in committee. Emergency bills must be taken in plenary session. The Presiding Officer is the convener of a Committee of the Whole Parliament.
Committee Office	The Office that provides clerking support for many of the Committees.
committee rooms	There are 6 committee rooms in the Parliament building, 2 large and 4 smaller ones. They are used for committee meetings and other events. They seat between 30 and 60 members of the public and media.
committee substitute	An MSP who substitutes for any other MSP from his or her party on a particular committee, as set out in rule 6.3A of the Standing Orders. Only parties with 5 or more MSPs may nominate substitutes. A committee substitute cannot be nominated for a private bill committee. An MSP cannot be nominated to be a committee substitute for more than 1 committee or for the members of a committee of which he or she is a member.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)	An organisation representing the parliaments of the Commonwealth states, of which the Scottish Parliament is a member.
community law	Those legal rights and obligations arising from European Union treaties and related legislation. Sometimes called EU, EC or European law.
competent matters	Matters within the remit of any particular committee of the Parliament, as set out in the Standing Orders for mandatory committees, or in the resolution that established the committee (in the case of subject committees and others).
complaint	For the purposes of the Code of Conduct for MSPs, a complaint is a formal communication by any person about the conduct of an MSP in relation to the Code. Section 9 of the Code provides guidance as to the making of complaints in particular circumstances. Complaints are investigated by the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
concordat	One of a series of bilateral or multilateral agreements between the devolved administrations and the UK Government. Concordats are made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was first published on 1 October 1999. Their purpose is to promote co-operation and communication and they are not intended to be legally binding. A list of concordats between the Scottish Executive and UK Government departments is published on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/concordats/).
confidence of the Parliament	When a motion of no confidence (rule 8.12) is passed, stating that the Scottish Executive no longer enjoys the confidence of the Parliament, all Ministers in the Scottish Administration (including junior Scottish Ministers) are required by the Scotland Act 1998 to resign (section 45(2), section 47(3)(c), section 48(2), Scotland Act 1998). When such a motion directed at a named minister is passed, no such statutory obligation arises, but that minister would be expected to resign. Motions of no confidence must be debated if supported by at least 25 members. The Presiding Officer and deputy Presiding Officer can be removed from office if the Parliament so decides by an absolute majority (rule 3.5)
Consideration Stage	In the procedure for a private bill, Consideration Stage is the stage for detailed consideration of the bill's provisions (rule 9A.9).
consolidation bill	A bill whose purpose is to restate the law, with or without amendment, based on recommendations of the Scottish Law Commission or of the Commission and its England and Wales counterpart jointly. Such bills are subject to a special form of legislative process (rule 9.18).
consolidation committee	A committee established to consider a consolidation bill.
constituency	An electoral area which elects a single MSP using the first-past-the-post system.
constituency member	An MSP elected using the first-past-the-post voting system for 1 of the 73 single-member constituencies.
consultation document	A document prepared to obtain views from the public and selected organisations on a particular issue. For example, a document prepared by a member to obtain views on the member's draft proposal for a member's bill or a document prepared by a committee to obtain views on a particular issue. The Scottish Executive also publishes consultation documents.
Consultative Steering Group (CSG)	The group set up by the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1998 to bring together views on the Scottish Parliament and to consider the Parliament’s operational needs and working methods. Its membership included representatives of the main Scottish political parties as well as a wide range of civic groups and interests. Its main report, “Shaping Scotland’s Parliament”, was published in January 1999.
contingent liability	A contingent liability is a potential call on government resources (contingent on particular events happening in the future). The Scottish Ministers have undertaken to present proposals for contingent liabilities in excess of £1m to the Finance Committee, which has the power to either approve the proposal or propose an amendment.
convener	The MSP who convenes and chairs a committee. The method of appointment, including party affiliation, is set out in chapter 12 of the Standing Orders.
Conveners Group (CG)	This Group was formally constituted in January 2003 and consists of the Presiding Officer and the convener of each mandatory and subject committee. In practice, the Group’s convener is one of the Deputy Presiding Officers rather than the Presiding Officer. Broadly speaking, the Group considers and makes recommendations on matters regarding the operation of committees. The Group may also act as a second consultative body to the Parliamentary Bureau on issues regarding Parliamentary business. Chapter 6A of the Standing Orders outlines the role of the Group.
Conveners Liaison Group (CLG)	Former name of the Conveners' Group, before it was formally constituted.
Convention rights	Rights and freedoms set out in various articles of the European Convention on Human Rights as defined in section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998. An Act of the Scottish Parliament is not law if it is incompatible with any of the convention rights.
Corporate Policy Unit	The unit that provides a secretariat service to the SPCB and undertakes a number of other roles, including co-ordinating the SPCB’s equal opportunities policies, and administering and supporting the nomination of candidates for royal appointment.
Corporate Publications Team	The team responsible for dealing with issues of content, style, quality and cost in relation to material published by the Parliament.
Corporate Services	The department that provides the overall financial infrastructure and controls within which the Parliament operates. It incorporates the Finance, Allowances and Procurement Offices.
cross-party group (CPG)	MSPs from across the parties who share an interest in a particular subject or issue may form a group along with persons from outside the Parliament and seek recognition from the Standards Committee as a cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament. Information about the regulation of cross-party groups can be found in section 6 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs. A list of approved and proposed cross-party groups and forthcoming meetings may be found on the Parliament’s website.
Crown consent	The formal consent of the Crown to provisions in a Bill which impinge on the private interests of the Crown. Crown consent, where it is required, is signified in the Chamber by a Minister during proceedings on the Bill.

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D-Day	1 July 1999. The principal appointed day for the implementation of key provisions of the Scotland Act 1998. On that day, the Scottish Parliament assumed its powers to make laws, and Scottish Ministers assumed their executive powers. 1 July 1999 was also the day when the Parliament was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen.
daily business list	The agenda of business for the Parliament on a particular day, usually with times when each item is to be taken, published in Section A of the Business Bulletin.
debates	Proceedings in the Parliament involving discussion by MSPs, usually based on a motion (sometimes with amendments) moved at the beginning of the debate. Debates may sometimes take place on a subject without there being a motion, or on a motion that is not moved (see members' business).
Debating Chamber	The term used, in the Standing Orders and elsewhere, to describe the place for meetings of the Parliament. Also referred to as the Chamber.
Decision Time	The period at the end of a day’s business in the Parliament (generally 17:00 on Wednesday and Thursday) when decisions are taken on most of the questions before it, whether by a division or otherwise. Some decisions, for example on business or other procedural motions, are taken at other times of day. Under the Standing Orders, Decision Time may not normally end later than 30 minutes after it begins.
declarable interest	An interest which must, under the members’ interests order, be declared in relevant proceedings of the Parliament. Such an interest would be a registrable interest which would prejudice, or could be thought by others to prejudice, the member’s ability to participate in the proceedings in a disinterested way. This is referred to as a declaration of interests. Further information is available in section 3 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
declaration of interests	See declarable interest.
delegated legislation	See subordinate legislation.
delivery group	A group established by the Cabinet to ensure delivery on cross-cutting Executive commitments. The membership and remit of a delivery group is agreed by Cabinet and such groups may comprise external members as well as Ministers. Details of current delivery groups can be found on the Scottish Executive website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk).
Department for Constitutional Affairs	The department responsible for the overall management of relations between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a result of the changes announced by the Prime Minister on 12 June 2003, the Scotland Office is now part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. More information on the work of the DCA in relation to devolution can be found on its website (http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/index.htm).
deputy convener	A member of a committee who can carry out the functions of that committee’s convener as required. The method of appointment, and the relevance of party affiliation, is set out in chapter 12 of the Standing Orders.
Deputy First Minister	A non-statutory term for the Cabinet Minister who is deputy to the First Minister.
Deputy Minister	A non-statutory term for a junior Scottish Minister appointed by the First Minister under the terms of section 49 of the Scotland Act 1998.
Deputy Presiding Officers (DPOs)	The Presiding Officer’s two deputies, who can also preside at the Parliament’s meetings and undertake impartially other functions of the Presiding Officer in accordance with the Scotland Act 1998 and the Standing Orders.
devolution	The process of decentralising the governance of Scotland, within the UK, from the central authorities (Westminster and Whitehall) to a Scottish Parliament and Executive. Similar schemes have been implemented for Northern Ireland and for Wales.
devolution guidance notes (DGNs)	A series of (generally internal) advice notes from the UK Government on, for example, how the UK and devolved administrations inter-relate. They are based on related guidance in other series, such as concordats. They are available on the website of the UK Government’s Department for Constitutional Affairs (www.dca.gov.uk).
devolution issues	A statutory term used in schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998 to describe particular kinds of legal issues arising from devolution, for example whether a power or action is within the competence of the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Ministers or Scottish Law Officers. These can be decided by the relevant courts and, ultimately, by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
devolved competence	The remit of the Scottish Ministers, which, very broadly, is the same as the Parliament’s legislative competence. See also Executive devolution.
devolved matters	Matters for which the Scottish Parliament and/or the Scottish Executive have assumed responsibility.
disability allowance	Under the members' allowances scheme, an allowance up to a specified limit per session which can be awarded by the SPCB to an MSP whose ability to undertake his or her role is impaired by disability. It is to be used in any way the SPCB decides is helpful to the MSP in undertaking that role. The SPCB may also make an award under this allowance to a member to meet costs the member may incur making reasonable adjustments to his or her local office to accommodate an employee who has a disability. This may include funds to facilitate access for disabled members of the public; provide equipment or parking spaces for disabled people; facilitate meetings for disabled people by hiring alternative premises; and contrating sign language interpreters for meetings with members of the public.
dissolution	Dissolution is the official term for the end of a session. The Presiding Officer determines the date when the Parliament is expected to be dissolved and members are notified of the date by the Clerk. The Queen is required to dissolve the Parliament at least every four years to enable an ordinary general election to be held, but the Parliament can also be dissolved early, following a resolution of the Parliament supported by two thirds of all MSPs, or the Parliament’s failure to nominate a First Minister within the prescribed statutory periods, in which case an extraordinary general election is held.
division	The means for deciding a question other than by consensus. See voting.
Document Supply Service	The service provided by the Document Supply Team in SPICe. They supply MSPs, their staff and Parliament staff with copies of parliamentary papers and other official documents they need for their parliamentary duties. The service is similar to that provided by the Vote Office in the House of Commons and the Printed Paper Office in the House of Lords. The Document Supply Team also oversees the network of 80 partner libraries.
documents	Standing orders provide for the laying before, and publication by the Parliament of any relevant document, defined as ‘anything in which information is recorded in any form’.
draft budget	Proposals presented by Scottish Ministers to the Parliament by 20 September (or the first sitting day thereafter), under the written agreement between the Scottish Ministers and the Parliament (SP Paper 155, June 2000), which set out detailed expenditure plans for the next financial year. The document is provided by the Executive for parliamentary scrutiny at Stage 2 of the annual budget process, leading to the annual budget bill.
dual mandate	A term to describe those MSPs who are at the same time members of the House of Commons (MPs) or House of Lords (Peers), and/or the European Parliament (MEPs). The salaries of such MSPs are abated accordingly.

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E-Day	6 May 1999. The first general election of MSPs to the Scottish Parliament.
EC	European Communities.
Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee	A subject Committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on the Scottish economy, enterprise, energy, tourism and all other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth apart from those covered by the remits of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change and the Local Government and Communities Committees.
Edinburgh accommodation allowance	An allowance set depending on the travel time from a member’s main residence to Edinburgh. It is for MSPs whose main residence is not in one of the nine constituencies in or around Edinburgh, as listed in Annex B of the members’ allowances scheme.
Education and Outreach	The team within Participation Services that is responsible for the Education Service (which deals with the visit programme for schools and teacher support through seminars and the production of resources); the network of 80 partner libraries (which act as focal points for parliamentary information and resources); Gaelic Outreach (which works with the Gaelic community); and an overall outreach service bringing together all elements of the service. Restructuring of Participation Services will occur on 1 September 2004.
Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee	A subject committee of the Parliament of 8 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on (a) further and higher education, lifelong learning, schools, pre-school care, skills and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and (b) matters relating to culture and the arts falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Culture and External Affairs.
election expenses	Expenses incurred before, during or after an election relating to the conduct or management of that election (as defined in article 83 of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc) Order 1999, SI 1999/787). See section 2 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs for further information.
electronic voting	The normal method of voting at a meeting of the Parliament. MSPs can vote ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’ by pressing the appropriate button on the console on their desks.
emergency bill	An Executive bill which, subject to the Parliament’s agreement, undergoes a faster legislative process. For example, all stages of the bill are considered by the whole Parliament rather than by a specific committee, and the usual requirements for intervals between stages do not apply (rule 9.21).
emergency business	Business which the Presiding Officer can allow to be taken at an appropriate point during a meeting of the Parliament. Such business would normally be announced in a revised daily business list.
emergency question	A question on an urgent matter which, if lodged by 10:00 on a day when the Parliament is meeting, may be asked that day if the Presiding Officer is of the opinion that it is ‘sufficiently urgent’ (rule 13.8).
emergency statement	A ministerial statement on an urgent matter. The Minister or junior Scottish Minister must give notice of the statement to the Presiding Officer on a day when the Parliament is meeting. If the Presiding Officer is of the opinion that it is ‘sufficiently urgent’ (rule 13.2.2), it can be made and debated on that day. Any necessary alterations are made to the daily business list.
employee travel allowance	Under the members' allowances scheme, an allowance for MSPs to be reimbursed for the cost of a specified number of journeys per year between the relevant constituency, region or the main residence of the employee and the parliamentary complex. It is also to fund journeys within the constituency or region made by MSP staff (employed through the SPCB payroll service) who support the member in his/her parliamentary duties. Commuting costs are excluded.
enactment	An Act, a part of an Act or, occasionally, a piece of subordinate legislation may be referred to as an enactment.
End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill Committee	An ad hoc committee of six members established to look at the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill.
environmental statement	One of the accompanying documents for certain private bills relating to works of a class determined by the Presiding Officer, or to compulsory acquisition or use of land and buildings. The statement sets out environmental impact information as determined by the Presiding Officer.
equal opportunities	One of the 4 key principles of the report of the Consultative Steering Group. Equal opportunities are defined in the remit of the Equal Opportunities Committee (rule 6.9).
Equal Opportunities Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 7 members, the remit of which is to consider and report on matters relating to equal opportunities, and upon the observance of equal opportunities within the Parliament. The committee must be established within 42 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election.
equipment and furniture scheme	A separate scheme to the members' allowances scheme agreed on 21 June 2001 by Parliament. It regulates the provision of IT, other office supplies and furniture. The scheme replaced earlier arrangements agreed by the Parliament in this regard.
estimate of expenses and funding statement	One of the accompanying documents for certain private bills relating to the construction or alteration of works of a class determined by the Presiding Officer, or to compulsory acquisition or use of lands and buildings. The statement sets out the total cost of, and sources of funding for, the project proposed in the bill, and any other financial information determined by the Presiding Officer, or reasons for non-inclusion of any financial information.
EU	European Union.
Europe Matters	The electronic newsletter of the European and External Relations Committee, available on the Parliament’s website.
European and External Relations Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of which is to consider and report on proposals for European Communities legislation;the implementation of European Communities legislation;any European Communities or European Union issue;the development and implementation of the Scottish Administration's links with countries and territories outside Scotland, the European Communities (and their institutions) and other international organisations and co-ordination of the international activities of the Scottish Administration. The committee must be established within 42 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election. Until 5 March 2003, this committee was known as the European Committee.
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)	The title used for the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. An international agreement between most European states setting out a package of civil rights and liberties. The ECHR is applied in Scotland through provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.
exceptional needs allowance	Under the members' allowances scheme, an allowance up to a specified limit to meet overnight expenses, which can be claimed by MSPs on grounds of the geographical size of their constituency or region or because they contain significant island communities. The areas concerned are listed in Annex C of the member's allowances scheme.
Executive	See Scottish Executive.
Executive bill	A public bill introduced into the Parliament by a member of the Scottish Executive.
Executive devolution	The extent of powers conferred on Scottish Ministers, which includes some responsibilities in areas which are reserved matters, i.e. matters over which the Scottish Parliament does not have legislative power (see section 63 of the Scotland Act 1998).
Executive note	Text attached to a Scottish statutory instrument explaining the policy background.
Executive statement on legislative competence	Each Executive bill must be accompanied on introduction by a statement by a member of the Scottish Executive stating that, in his or her view, the provisions of the bill would be within the legislative competence of the Parliament.
explanatory notes	A form of accompanying document, the purpose of which is to summarise objectively what the provisions of the bill do.
extraordinary general election	A general election held because the Parliament either has resolved that it should be dissolved, or has failed to nominate a First Minister within the relevant statutory period. When either situation arises, the Presiding Officer proposes a date of poll, and the Parliament may be dissolved by royal proclamation for the election to be held on the proposed day (section 3, Scotland Act 1998).

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Facilities Management Office	The office that is responsible for managing the Parliament's accommodation, providing a range of support services (some through contractors), and advising on health and safety and environmental issues.
fallen bill	If the Parliament does not agree to the general principles of a public bill after debate at Stage 1, then the bill falls. In the case of a private bill, if the Parliament does not agree to the general principles after debate at the Preliminary Stage, or does not consider that the bill should proceed as a private bill, then the bill falls.
family travel allowance	An allowance which can be claimed by MSPs for travel between Edinburgh and the relevant constituency, region or main residence by members of their immediate family, as defined in the members' allowances scheme.
Festival of Politics	An event held over several days by the Scottish Parliament in August. It features a series of debates, workshops, talks, music and lively discussion. The first Festival of Politics was in August 2005.
Final Stage	In the procedure for a private bill, Final Stage is the stage for final consideration of the bill and a decision whether it should be passed or rejected (rule 9A.10).
Finance Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of which is to consider and report on Executive reports/documents on proposals for, or budgets of, public expenditure, or for tax-varying resolutions; committee reports concerning public expenditure; any report made by a committee setting out proposals concerning public expenditure; and Budget bills, and (discretionary) timetable for such bills and handling of financial business; and any other matter relating to or affecting the expenditure of the Scottish Administration or other expenditure payable out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund. The committee must be established within 21 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election.
Finance Office	An office that undertakes a range of functions, such as processing invoices, setting and monitoring budgets, and preparing the Parliament’s annual accounts.
Financial Issues Advisory Group (FIAG)	A group established by the Scottish Office in February 1998 to advise it and the Consultative Steering Group on procedures and practices for the Scottish Parliament in the handling of financial issues. Its report was published in January 1999.
financial memorandum	An accompanying document to a public bill. The financial memorandum sets out best estimates of the bill’s costs on the Scottish Administration, local authorities and others.
financial resolution	A financial resolution is required for bills which have or which are likely to have certain financial implications (as set out in rule 9.12.3). This is a resolution of the Parliament expressing its agreement to those implications. The motion for a resolution can be moved only by a Minister. If a bill requires a financial resolution, no further proceedings beyond Stage 1 can be taken until it has been agreed to, and the bill will fall if no resolution is passed within 6 months of the completion of Stage 1.
financial year	A year beginning 1 April, for the purposes of financial business.
First Minister	The head of the Scottish Executive. The First Minister is an MSP appointed by the Queen within 28 days of a general election or vacancy. His or her appointment follows election by MSPs and nomination by the Scottish Parliament, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Standing Orders (rules 4.1-4.2 and 11.10).
First Minister’s Question Time (FMQT)	A period of up to 30 minutes each week, normally on Thursdays at 12.00, when MSPs ask questions of the First Minister at a meeting of the Parliament. 6 questions are selected by the Presiding Officer, and the members who ask those questions, plus other members, may be called to ask supplementary questions. By convention, the first 2 or 3 questions selected are by the leaders of the main opposition parties. FMQT replaced Open Question Time, following a revision of the Standing Orders in December 1999.
first past the post	Voting system used to elect the 73 MSPs from the single-member constituencies, where the candidate who obtains the largest number of votes is elected, regardless of whether or not this represents a majority of the votes cast.
Forth Crossing Bill Committee	An ad hoc committee of four members established to look at the Forth Crossing Bill.
frontbench, frontbencher	A colloquial term, derived from Westminster, to denote those MSPs who are Ministers or shadow Ministers (i.e. the spokespersons of opposition parties on the main areas of Executive responsibility).
Futures Forum	A Scottish Parliament initiative to develop strategic thinking on the issues which will shape Scotland's future. It was established on 18 August 2005.

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Gaelic Service	A service established in September 2000 to develop the Parliament’s links with the Gaelic-speaking community, liaise with the Gaelic media, provide information and documentation in Gaelic, and welcome groups to the Parliament. The service is also responsible for maintaining and developing the Gaelic section of the Parliament’s website.
Garden Lobby	The main thoroughfare which joins all the buildings in the Parliament complex together. It has distinctive glass, leaf-shaped sky-lights.
general election	An election in which a poll is held for all 129 seats in the Parliament, either an ordinary general election or an extraordinary general election (sections 2-3, Scotland Act 1998).
general principles of a bill	The overall policy and purpose of a bill, rather than its detailed provisions. The general principles are considered at Stage 1 (for a public bill) or at Preliminary Stage (for a private bill).
General Questions, General Question Time	See Question Time
government	The executive body that administers the running of the country. Within the context of devolution in Scotland, the term is used informally to describe the full ministerial team (that is, members of the Scottish Executive plus junior Scottish Ministers), as in ‘the Scottish government’ or the ‘coalition government’.
Great Britain (GB)	That part of the United Kingdom that does not include Northern Ireland (i.e. Scotland, England and Wales).
group	A group can be formed of members who represent parties with fewer than 5 seats in the Parliament, or of independent members (who do not represent a political party). The group must have at least 5 members, and is entitled to nominate a representative as a member of the Parliamentary Bureau (rule 5.2.2).
group representative	See group. See party representative.
groupings	A list setting out the how amendments to a bill are to be grouped for debate. The purpose of grouping amendments rather than debating each one separately is to reduce repetitiveness and to allow complementary or competing amendments to be debated together. Groupings are decided by the convener or Presiding Officer.

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half sitting day	Under rule 5.6.2, a period on a sitting day between 14.30 and 17.00 on a Monday, between 09.15 and 12.30 or 14.30 and 17.00 on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday or between 09.30 and 12.00 on a Friday. On 12 half sitting days in each parliamentary year, the business of committees is given priority over the business of the Scottish Executive at meetings of the Parliament; on 16 half sitting days in each parliamentary year, meetings of the Parliament consider business chosen by political parties which are not represented in the Scottish Executive, or by any group formed under rule 5.2.2.
Health and Sport Committee	A subject committee of the Parliament, of 9 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on (a) health policy and the NHS in Scotland and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and (b) matters relating to sport falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Public Health and Sport.
Holyrood	The area of Edinburgh where the Scottish Parliament is located. Also often used in the media to refer to the Scottish Parliament itself.
Holyrood Progress Group (HPG)	A group that was set up following a resolution of the Parliament on 5 April 2000. It met for the first time in July 2000 and the last meeting was on 6 October 2004. Made up of representatives of the Parliament and relevant professionals, it was directed to work with the SPCB to finalise the design of the new Parliament building, complete the project and report regularly to the SPCB and members on the progress and costs of construction.
Holyrood Project Team (HPT)	The group that acted as the SPCB’s representative in securing delivery of the Scottish Parliament’s new building at Holyrood. It liaised with the Parliament, the Design Team and the Construction Manager; monitored and reported on the programme and costs; ensured materials were procured satisfactorily; provided support services to the project, including managing the payment of invoices and providing information to MSPs and members of the public; and provided secretariat support to the Holyrood Progress Group and the Arts Group.
home rule	Another description for forms of democratically elected Scottish self-government, such as devolution.
House of Commons	The lower house of the United Kingdom Parliament, composed of members of Parliament, who are directly elected in single-member constituencies, using the first-past-the-post voting system. There are currently 646 MPs, including 59 who represent Scottish seats.
House of Lords	The upper house of the United Kingdom Parliament, composed of life peers and some hereditary peers, none of whom is elected by the public.
Human Resources Office	This office is responsible for providing a human resource service for the Parliament through four teams: the Learning and Capability Development Team, the Operations Team, the Strategy and Policy Team and the Human Resources Advisory Team.
Human Rights Act 1998	UK legislation that applies most of the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights to domestic UK law.
Hybrid Bill	A hybrid bill is a public bill that adversely affects a particular interest of a person or a body in a way that is different from the interests of other people or bodies in the same category or class. Hybrid bills generally relate to development projects and the use of land. This type of bill could seek to authorise the construction or alteration of works or to authorise the compulsory acquisition or use of any land or buildings. The legislative procedure for hybrid bills is set out in chapter 9C of the standing orders.
Hybrid Bill Committee	Any committee of the Parliament that is established to consider a hybrid bill (rule 9C.6 of the standing orders). A hybrid bill committee may consist of between three and five members. An MSP may not be a member of a hybrid bill committee if he or she resides in, or represents a constituency or region that falls within, the area affected by the bill. Neither may an MSP be a member of a hybrid bill committee if he or she has an interest registered in the Register of Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament or a financial interest that, in the opinion of the Parliamentary Bureau, would be likely to prejudice the proceedings of the committee. Members may only be absent from a meeting of a hybrid bill committee in exceptional circumstances.

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Implementation Unit	The unit with responsibility for co-ordinating the projects associated with the move to the Holyrood building and ensuring that systems and procedures are properly tested. The unit will be disbanded once the migration is complete.
Information Centre	An informal name for the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
instrument	See statutory instrument or Scottish statutory instrument
interim accommodation	The temporary location of the Scottish Parliament until the completion of the new buildings at Holyrood. Meetings of the Parliament were normally at the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall in Edinburgh. Committees normally met in the nearby Committee Chambers on George IV Bridge. Parliament Headquarters, on George IV Bridge, provided offices for MSPs, parliamentary staff and ministers. The Parliament also used Cannonball House and 375 High Street.
international obligations	As used in the Scotland Act 1998, a statutory term to denote any such obligation of the UK, other than those relating to Community law or Convention rights. This relates to the competence of the Parliament and of the Scottish Executive, and in particular to the intervention powers of the Secretary of State under section 35 and section 58.
intra vires	See vires.
introduction (of a bill)	The first stage in the passage of a bill, when a signed copy is lodged with the clerks together with any required accompanying documents. Bills are available in print on the day following introduction. Their introduction is announced in Section G of the Business Bulletin.

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Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC)	An inter-governmental committee consisting of UK Government, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Ministers. The JMC was established to allow the devolved administrations to be involved in the UK Government’s deliberations when it is considering issues where reserved and devolved responsibilities overlap, and vice versa. The terms of reference for the JMC are set out in an annex to the Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the UK Government and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and first published on 1 October 1999.
Journal of the Scottish Parliament	A corrected version of the Minutes of Proceedings recording all Chamber business together with notices of bills, instruments, draft instruments, reports of committees and other matters which the Parliament considers should be included. The Journal is the authoritative record of what the Parliament has done.
judges	The arrangements for the appointment and removal of Scottish judges are set out in section 95 of the Scotland Act 1998. Under these provisions, the Scottish Parliament has a key role in the procedures for the removal of a judge of the Court of Session or of the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court. The Scottish Parliament’s powers to summon witnesses or demand the production of documents cannot be imposed on a judge of any court (section 23(7)(a) of the 1998 Act).
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC)	The Scotland Act 1998 gives the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council an important role in the resolution of legal issues arising from devolution, for example whether bills passed by the Scottish Parliament are within its legislative competence (section 103 and schedule 6). It can also decide, on appeal or otherwise, on other ‘devolution issues’, and its decisions will be binding on all other courts. For devolution purposes, the JCPC consists of Law Lords and others holding high judicial office, such as judges of the Court of Session.
junior Scottish Ministers	The term used in the Scotland Act 1998 (section 49) to denote Ministers in the Scottish government who are appointed by the First Minister, with the approval of the Scottish Parliament, to assist the Scottish Ministers in the exercise of their functions. Junior Scottish Ministers (known by the current government as Minister) are not members of the Scottish Executive or the Cabinet but are bound by the principle of collective responsibility under which the Executive operates.
Justice Committee	A subject committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on (a) the administration of criminal and civil justice, community safety, and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and (b) the functions of the Lord Advocate, other than as head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths in Scotland.

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Keeper of the Records of Scotland	The person responsible, amongst other things, for storing the official records of the Parliament, including the official prints of Acts of the Scottish Parliament. The office is held by the Chief Executive of the National Archives for Scotland.
Keeper of the Registers of Scotland	The person responsible, amongst other things, for recording the royal assent of Acts of the Scottish Parliament in the Register of the Great Seal. The office is held by the head of the Scottish Executive agency Registers of Scotland.
Keeper of the Scottish Seal	The First Minister is Keeper of the Scottish Seal. (The Seal is the means of signifying Crown approval for letters patent and royal proclamations under section 45(7) of the Scotland Act 1998).
key principles	A list of the main principles underpinning the terms of a particular document. There are 4 key principles in the main report of the Consultative Steering Group (sharing the power; accountability; access and participation; equal opportunities). There are 7 key principles in the Code of Conduct for MSPs (public duty; duty as a representative; selflessness; integrity; honesty; accountability and openness; leadership). There are 5 key principles in the Presiding Officer’s guidance on relationships between MSPs (Reid principles).

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languages	Under rule 7.1 of the standing orders, the Parliament is normally to conduct its business in English, but MSPs, or any other person invited by the Parliament to address it, can speak in Scots Gaelic or any other language with the agreement of the Presiding Officer. The Parliament also has a language policy which deals with matters such as the publication of material in other languages and the provision of translation and interpretation facilities.
Law Officers	The senior legal advisers to the government. The two Scottish Law Officers, who are Scottish Ministers and members of the Scottish Executive, are the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland. Unlike other Ministers, the Scottish Law Officers need not be MSPs. In such cases, the Scotland Act 1998 and the Scottish Parliament’s Standing Orders provide for their participation in certain parliamentary proceedings. The UK Government’s Scottish Law Officer is the Advocate General for Scotland, a post created at devolution.
laying documents	Chapter 14 of the Parliament’s Standing Orders provides rules on laying documents before the Parliament. Many types of documents, such as financial reports or annual reports of public bodies, must be laid by law.
lead committee	The parliamentary committee within whose remit a particular bill or item of subordinate legislation falls, and which, under the Standing Orders, takes the lead role in reporting to the rest of Parliament on that legislation. If a measure falls within the remit of more than one committee, the committees concerned may decide, with the agreement of the Parliamentary Bureau, to consider the matter jointly. Alternatively the Parliament may designate one to be the lead committee, acting on a motion from the Parliamentary Bureau.
leader of the opposition	An informal term, derived from Westminster parliamentary practice, which is sometimes applied to the leader of the largest non-Executive party in the Scottish Parliament. By convention, the leader of the opposition (along with the leaders of other large non-Executive parties) may be given some degree of priority in proceedings such as First Minister’s Question Time.
Learning Resource Centre	An internal resource provided by the Human Resources Office for MSPs, their staff and Parliament staff to facilitate individual learning.
legislation	Any written law agreed to and given authority by a legislative body (such as the Scottish Parliament) is legislation. The Scottish Parliament has the power to enact both primary legislation (i.e. Acts) and approve or reject secondary (also called subordinate or delegated) legislation. Bills are draft legislation.
legislative competence	Legislation passed by the Scottish Parliament is only valid if it is within the Parliament's legislative competence. The Scotland Act 1998 sets out matters that are outwith the Scottish Parliament’s competence, such as the reserved matters listed in schedule 5 or anything that is incompatible with Convention rights or with Community law. The Parliament can legislate on everything else.
Legislative Consent Memorandum	A document prepared by the Executive or by a Member describing a Westminster Bill that contains provisions on devolved matters, or provisions that would alter the devolved competence of the Parliament or the Executive. In most cases, the memorandum will also explain why the Executive (or the Member) wishes the Parliament to give consent to Westminster legislating in this way. See also Legislative Consent Motion, Sewel Convention.
Legislative Consent Motion	A motion expressing the Parliament’s consent to provisions in a Westminster Bill on devolved matters or to alter the devolved competence of the Parliament or of the Executive. Previously (and still, colloquially) known as a “Sewel motion”.
legislative process	The stages of parliamentary consideration that a bill must go through to enable it to become an Act.
letters patent	In the legislative context, royal assent to bills passed by the Parliament is signified by letters patent signed in the monarch’s own hand, passed under the Scottish Seal and recorded in the Register of the Great Seal.
list member	An informal term for a regional MSP, derived from the party lists used for their election.
lobbying	The Scotland Act 1998 makes provision for the ethical conduct of the Parliament. There is a transitional scheme for the regulation of MSPs’ interests including the prohibition of paid advocacy by MSPs. The Code of Conduct for MSPs includes additional provisions and guidance in relation to MSPs’ interaction with lobbyists. See section 5 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
Local Government and Communities Committee	A subject committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on (a) the financing and delivery of local government and local services and planning; and (b) housing, regeneration, anti-poverty measures and other matters (apart from sport) falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Housing and Communities.
Lord Advocate	The senior Scottish Law Officer and a member of the Scottish Executive. As well as providing legal advice to the Scottish government, the Lord Advocate is also in charge of the prosecution of crime and the investigation of deaths in Scotland. The devolution legislation contains various provisions to protect the independent position and role of the Lord Advocate, especially in connection with criminal prosecutions and the investigation of deaths. Although not a member of the Cabinet, he or she does attend Cabinet meetings.

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Main Hall	The Main Hall is located just beyond the public entrance and houses the exhibition area and the Visitor Information Desk.
mandatory committee	A committee of the Scottish Parliament which the Standing Orders require to be established. There are 8 such committees: Audit, Equal Opportunities, European and External Relations, Finance, Procedures, Public Petitions, Subordinate Legislation and Standards and Public Appointments. Mandatory committees are established for the whole session of the Parliament.
mandatory consultees	Persons or bodies with special rights to be consulted prior to the introduction of a Private Bill and to comment during the Bill’s passage on the adequacy of that consultation.
manuscript amendment	An amendment to a bill lodged after the normal time limit set down in the Standing Orders. A manuscript amendment may be moved only with the agreement of the relevent committee convener (at Stage 2) or the Presiding Officer (at Stage 3)
marshalled list	A document prepared for each day during the amending stage of a bill showing all the admissible amendments lodged for the stage and not so far disposed of, in the order in which they will be considered.
Media Relations Office	The office that provides information about the work of the Parliament to press and broadcast journalists. It also provides official comment on behalf of the Presiding Officers, the SPCB and the committees.
Media Tower	The Media Tower is located at the corner of Horse Wynd and the Canongate, adjacent to the Debating Chamber. It provides office accommodation to journalists at the Parliament.
meeting of the Parliament	A meeting of the whole Parliament in the Debating Chamber (or elsewhere). A meeting of the Parliament is chaired by the Presiding Officer or one of the Deputy Presiding Officers, except in certain circumstances (detailed in rule 2.4). Each day’s Chamber business is normally a separate meeting of the Parliament.
member in charge	The MSP who introduces a public bill and who has certain duties and rights during the bill’s passage. This member may also designate (under Rule 9.2A) an additional member in charge – for an Executive bill, this must be a junior Scottish Minister; for a member’s bill, it may be any other MSP; and for a committee bill it must be another member of the committee.
member of the Scottish Executive	The First Minister, the two Scottish Law Officers (the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland), and the Ministers appointed by the First Minister under section 47 of the Scotland Act 1998 are all members of the Scottish Executive as it is defined in section 44 of the Act. Collectively, for statutory purposes, members of the Scottish Executive are referred to as ‘the Scottish Ministers’. Junior Scottish Ministers are not members of the Scottish Executive.
member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP)	People elected at a general election for a constituency or region or at a by-election for a constituency vacancy, and people who fill a regional vacancy, are returned as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). There are 129 MSPs, 73 of whom represent individual constituencies and 56 of whom represent 1 of 8 regions. Their term of office begins on the day on which the member is declared to be returned and ends with the dissolution of the Parliament, or, if earlier, that member’s death or resignation.
member's business	Any item of business, other than a member’s bill, proposed by a member who is not a member of the Scottish Executive or a junior Scottish Minister. A period of up to 45 minutes is set aside for such business at the end of each meeting of the Parliament, following Decision Time. By convention, the debate is on a motion, but the motion is not moved and the debate ends without any question being put. The Parliamentary Bureau selects motions to be debated. The motion to be debated normally has cross-party support and raises an issue affecting a particular locality or commemorating an anniversary or special event. Another aspect to the criteria is that motions will not call on anybody to undertake specific actions or to take or reverse particular decisions.
members allowances scheme	The current scheme for allowances for MSPs to enable them to carry out their parliamentary duties which was agreed by the Parliament on 21 June 2001.
members bill	A public bill, other than a committee bill, introduced by an MSP who is not a member of the Scottish Executive.
members support allowance	An allowance to enable MSPs to run offices, employ staff, meet constituents and to reimburse qualified travel and overnight expenses.
members travel allowance	MSPs can be reimbursed through this allowance for travel expenses incurred in performing their parliamentary duties. There are set rates for particular forms of transport such as motor vehicles, motorcycles and pedal cycles.
Minister	A member of the government. The senior Ministers in the Scottish Government are known as ‘members of the Scottish Executive’ or ‘the Scottish Ministers’, and together they form the Scottish Cabinet (the Lord Advocate is not formally a member of the Cabinet but attends its meetings to provide advice on legal matters). There are also junior Scottish Ministers who assist the members of the Scottish Executive. With the exception of the Scottish Law Officers, all Ministers must also be MSPs. An MSP cannot hold a ministerial post in both the Scottish government and the UK government at the same time. The current government calls the Senior Ministers Cabinet Secretaries and the junior Ministers, Ministers
Minister of the Crown	A holder of a ministerial office in the UK Government (which, for the purposes of the Scotland Act 1998, includes the Treasury). Ministers in the devolved Scottish Administration are not Ministers of the Crown.
ministerial statement	An oral statement to the Parliament by a member of the Scottish Executive or junior Scottish Minister. Rule 13.2 provides procedures for the inclusion of such statements (including those ‘of an urgent nature’, sometimes described as ‘emergency statements’) in the Parliament’s business. The First Minister may also make statements to the Parliament setting out the Executive’s policies and legislative programme for any parliamentary year.
Ministers	See Scottish Executive. See junior Scottish Ministers.
Minutes of Proceedings	Drawn up by the Clerk for each meeting of the Parliament, the Minutes of Proceedings formally record all items of business taken and the results of any decisions, divisions and elections which took place. The Minutes of Proceedings are published and are also on the Parliament’s website. Minutes are also prepared for each meeting of each committee. See also Journal of the Scottish Parliament.
motion	A proposition considered and decided upon by the Parliament or a committee. Particular examples are business motions, procedural motions, motions of no confidence, motions for a tax-varying resolution and motions of the First Minister. A motion that is agreed to becomes a resolution. Motions (and amendments to motions) are covered in chapter 8 of the Parliament’s Standing Orders.
motion of no confidence	A motion that the Parliament no longer has confidence in the Scottish Executive, one of the Scottish Ministers or one of the junior Scottish Ministers. If the Parliament approves a motion that it no longer has confidence in the Scottish Executive, then all the Ministers of the government (members of the Scottish Executive and junior Scottish Ministers) are required to resign. If the Parliament passes such a motion against an individual Minister, then that Minister would be expected to resign. There are special procedures in the Standing Orders for the handling of motions of no confidence (rule 8.12). They must be debated if supported by at least 25 members.
MP	Member of (UK) Parliament, normally applied only to members of the House of Commons.
MSP building	The building that accommodates the MSP offices at Holyrood.

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National Assembly for Wales	The body (popularly known as the Welsh Assembly) established by the Government of Wales Act 1998 to be the mechanism for Welsh devolution. As an elected, representative assembly, with some legislative functions, it resembles the Scottish Parliament. However, it is also an executive body, with those powers currently delegated to the First Secretary and other Assembly Secretaries, and as such it also includes the role that the Scottish Executive plays in Scottish devolution.
negative instrument	A statutory instrument that must be annulled if the Parliament passes a resolution to that effect within 40 days of the instrument being laid. This is generally regarded as the weaker of the two main forms of Parliamentary control over subordinate legislation. See also affirmative instrument.
non-Executive	A term used to describe the parties or independent members not represented in the Executive (as in ‘non-Executive business’, ‘non-Executive party’). See opposition.
Non-Executive Bills Unit (NEBU)	A unit that provides assistance with members’ bills and committee bills. It works with members or committees and clerks in developing and clarifying the policy underlying proposals for bills, arranges for bills to be drafted and introduced, ensures that certain criteria are met, and assists the member or committee throughout the passage of the bill.
normal parliamentary week	Under rule 2.2.3 of the Standing Orders, the normal parliamentary week is between the hours of 14:30 and 17:30 on Monday, 09:30 and 17:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 09:30 and 12:30 on Friday. The Parliament can meet, generally, on any sitting day during these periods. A meeting of the Parliament may continue beyond these times under certain circumstances (rules 2.2.4-2.2.6 of the Standing Orders). The Presiding Officer may convene the Parliament on other dates and at other times in an emergency.
Northern Ireland Assembly	The body established under the Northern Ireland (Elections) Act 1998 and the Northern Ireland Act 1998, following the 1998 Good Friday agreement (also known as the Belfast agreement), as the mechanism for devolution in Northern Ireland. Before devolution was fully implemented by ministerial order in December 1999, it was called the New Northern Ireland Assembly. The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended since midnight on 14 October 2002. However, arrangements have been made under the Northern Ireland Act 2006 for Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly to meet in another forum, known as The Assembly. The Assembly has met since 15 May 2006.

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oath of allegiance	On being returned as members, all MSPs are required either to take the oath of allegiance or make the solemn affirmation before the Clerk at a meeting of the Parliament. The form of the oath is set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868, and the corresponding affirmation, which may be taken instead, is set out in the Oaths Act 1978. An MSP may not participate in any other proceedings of the Parliament until he or she has taken the oath or made the solemn affirmation. An MSP that does not do this, normally within a two month period of being returned as an MSP, will cease to be an MSP.
objection	A formal statement lodged by any person or body who considers that their interests would be adversely affected by a private bill (rule 9A.6). The names of all objectors who have lodged admissible objections are listed in the Business Bulletin.
objection period	A period, normally of 60 days from the introduction of a private bill, during which objections to the bill can be lodged.
objector	An individual person, or a body, who lodges an objection to a Private Bill during the objection period.
Office of the Clerk	In practice, this means the offices of the parliamentary staff. Under rule 2.1.3 of the Standing Orders, a sitting day of the Parliament is a day when the Office of the Clerk is open and the Parliament is not in recess or dissolved. The days on which the Office of the Clerk is open are determined by the Parliament, on a motion of the Parliamentary Bureau, and can include days during a period of recess.
Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate General for Scotland	The office that provides legal services in Scotland to UK government departments. It provides legal advice in relation to Scots law and UK legislation applying to Scotland. It represents UK government departments in legal proceedings in the Scottish Courts. More information is available on the Office of the Advocate General for Scotland website.
Office to the Solicitor to the Scottish Parliament	The Office responsible for all the legal work for the Parliament and its committees and for the Presiding Officer and the SPCB. Its priorities are legislation, parliamentary procedures and the issues of organisational governance for which the SPCB and its staff have responsibility.
office-holders in the Scottish Administration	These are defined in section 126(7) of the Scotland Act 1998 as members of the Scottish Executive and junior Scottish Ministers (that is, all Ministers in the Scottish government) and the holders of specified non-ministerial offices. These non-ministerial offices are listed in section 126(8), and include the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. They also include others specified by Orders in Council, principally the Scottish Administration (Offices) Order 1999 (SI 1999/1127).
official print	The archive-quality copy of an Act of the Scottish Parliament signed by the Clerk of the Parliament after royal assent. This is deposited in the National Archives of Scotland.
Official Report (OR)	The Scottish Parliament Official Report is the authoritative report of parliamentary proceedings (including committees and written answers). It is ‘substantially verbatim’, which means, according to the Presiding Officer’s announcement in Business Bulletin 4/1999 (19 May 1999), that 'repetitions and redundancies should be omitted and obvious mistakes should be corrected while maintaining the flavour of the speech.'
oldest committee member	The member of a committee (other than a committee substitute) who is the oldest member of the committee present at a meeting and who has indicated to the clerk that he or she agrees to chair the meeting. The oldest committee member chairs meetings for the purpose of appointing a convener or temporary convener (see also oldest member of the committee).
oldest member	The oldest member elected to the Parliament is given functions by the Standing Orders. In rule 2.4 the ‘oldest qualified member’ (as defined in rule 2.4.7) chairs the first meeting of the Parliament following a general election, solely for the purpose of presiding over the proceedings when members are taking the oath of allegiance or making a solemn affirmation and for the election of the Presiding Officer. The oldest qualified member must take the oath of allegiance or make a solemn affirmation before he or she can chair the meeting. The oldest member may chair other meetings of the Parliament but only if the Presiding Officer and both deputy Presiding Officers are unable to act. Similarly, the first meeting of a newly established committee is chaired by the oldest committee member until a convener is chosen (rule 12.1.6).
oldest member of the committee	A member of a committee who, if he or she considers it necessary that a temporary convener be appointed at any time other than at a meeting, convenes a meeting to choose a temporary convener (see also Oldest Committee Member).
oldest qualified member	See oldest member.
open power	Section 112 of the Scotland Act 1998 states that, if a power to make subordinate legislation under the Act makes no provision for who may exercise it, the power can be exercised either by order in council or by a Minister of the Crown by order. Such a power is referred to as an open power.
Open Question Time	Under the initial standing orders, this was a period of up to 20 minutes each week immediately following Question Time (normally on a Thursday), when open questions to Ministers were taken. This was replaced from the beginning of 2000 by First Minister's Question Time (rules 13.6-7).
Operational Management Group (OMG)	The group comprising the Clerk/Chief Executive, group heads, the Head of the Strategy and Development Office, the Head of Procurement and a senior lawyer. The remit of the group is to deliver the organisational strategy. It deals with cross-cutting operational issues and promotes collaborative working across the business to deliver organisational goals. The group also provides a forum to agree prioritisation and resourcing for projects. Within the overall strategy set by the Strategic Leadership Team, OMG co-ordinates the SPCB's annual budget bid and the SPS staffing bid for submission to SLT as part of the budget planning process.
opposition	A term derived from Westminster parliamentary practice that is commonly applied to those parties and groups in the Scottish Parliament that are not in the government. The more formal term is ‘non-Executive’ (as in non-Executive business, non-Executive party).
oral question	A parliamentary question lodged for oral answer by a member of the Scottish Executive either at Question Time or First Minister’s Question Time. The rules on lodging and admissibility of oral questions are set out in chapter 13 of the Standing Orders. Questions to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body may also be posed for oral answer during SPCB Question Time.
orders in council	A form of subordinate legislation, generally reserved for the more important national or constitutional matters, made by the sovereign through the Privy Council, rather than directly by a Minister.
ordinary general election	A general election held under section 2 of the Scotland Act 1998 on the first Thursday in May in the fourth year after the previous such election - or on a date proposed by the Presiding Officer up to a month either side of that date.
overnight expenses allowance	Under the members allowances scheme, an allowance up to a specified limit for MSPs who stay overnight away from their main residence for the purpose of carrying out their parliamentary duties.

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paid advocacy	The action whereby an elected member advocates or promotes a cause in return for payment or other benefit. This is prohibited in the Parliament, under the Scotland Act and is explained in the Code of Conduct for MSPs. It is a key component of the regulation of ethical standards in the Parliament. See section 4 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
Parliament	An assembly of representatives (generally elected) which has various functions in relation to legislation, the scrutiny of the Executive and representation of people and their interests.
Parliament Headquarters (PHQ)	One of the buildings around the Royal Mile used as temporary accommodation for the Scottish Parliament, which provided offices for MSPs, parliamentary staff and Ministers.
Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit	The office, operated and staffed by BBC Resources Ltd, that televises the proceedings of the Scottish Parliament and its committees.
Parliamentary Bureau	The body within the Parliament responsible under the Standing Orders (chapter 5) for proposing the business of the Parliament, recommending the establishment of committees, and other related functions. It is not a parliamentary committee. It consists of the Presiding Officer (chair), a representative of each party that has more than 5 members, and a representative of any group of 5 or more smaller-party members or independents. There is a system of weighted voting according to party strength. The Deputy Presiding Officers also attend.
parliamentary complex	For the purposes of the members’ allowances scheme, the place where the Parliament or any of its committees or sub-committees meets.
parliamentary corporation	The term used in the Scotland Act 1998 and in the Standing Orders for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). See Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
parliamentary duties	Any task or function that a member could reasonably be expected to carry out in his or her capacity as a member of the Parliament. Rule 8 of the members’ allowances scheme provides a number of examples of such duties.
parliamentary liaison officer (PLO)	A person appointed by the First Minister on a recommendation from Cabinet Ministers. A parliamentary liaison officer assists the Minister in discharging their duties. PLOs are unpaid and are not part of the Executive. Their role and the arrangements for their appointment are set out in paragraphs 4.6 - 4.13 of the Scottish ministerial code. The functions of PLOs are broadly similar to those of parliamentary private secretaries at Westminster.
parliamentary privilege	See privilege.
parliamentary question (PQ)	One means by which MSPs can seek information or explanation from Ministers (and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body). Questions can be for oral or written answer, and are governed by chapter 13 of the Standing Orders and the detailed guidance published by the clerks.
parliamentary recess	See recess.
parliamentary week	See normal parliamentary week.
parliamentary year	A period, normally of 12 months, beginning on the date of the first meeting of the Parliament following a general election, and on each subsequent anniversary of that date within that session.
partner library	There is at least 1 designated public library in each constituency which acts as a focal point for information about the Parliament and its documentation, including, in many cases, internet access to the Parliament’s website.
Partnership for a Better Scotland	The policy agreement establishing and underpinning the coalition government of Labour and the Liberal Democrats following the May 2003 general election.
party representatives	Members of the Parliamentary Bureau representing parties with 5 or more members in the Parliament. More commonly referred to as party business managers. See also group representatives.
passage of a bill	The process through which a bill passes from introduction to royal assent.
passing (of a bill)	A bill is passed when the Parliament approves it at the end of consideration at Stage 3 (or, in the case of a private bill, Final Stage consideration).
personal statement	A statement made by any MSP at a meeting of the Parliament, at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, and included in the business programme by the Parliamentary Bureau. Such a statement may be made, for example, where a member wishes to make a public apology to the Parliament or explain their resignation from an office. It cannot be debated by the Parliament (rule 13.1).
petition	See public petition.
plenary	A meeting of the Parliament.
point of order	An intervention, of no more than 3 minutes, by a member during parliamentary proceedings, which questions whether proper procedures have been followed or are being followed. The point of order will be responded to by the Presiding Officer, usually straight away. A point of order takes precedence over the business under consideration (rule 8.17).
policy memorandum	A document which, under rule 9.3.3(c), must accompany an Executive or member's bill and which sets out the policy objectives of the bill; whether alternative ways of meeting the bill’s objectives were considered; what consultation was undertaken and its outcome; and an assessment of the bill’s effects on equal opportunities, human rights, island communities, local government, sustainable development and other matters considered relevant by Ministers.
pre-commencement enactment	A pre-commencement enactment is, primarily but not exclusively, any enactment passed by the UK Parliament before, or in the same session as, the Scotland Act 1998. The concept is important in determining the transfer of executive functions from UK Ministers to the Scottish Ministers. A full definition is given in section 53(3) of the Scotland Act 1998.
pre-emption	An amendment to a bill or to a motion pre-empts another amendment if agreement to the first means that the second can no longer be taken.
Preliminary Stage	In the procedure for a private bill, the Preliminary Stage is when the bill’s general principles are considered. Preliminary consideration of any objections also takes place at this stage, and the decision is made on whether the bill should proceed. (rule 9A.8)
prerogative	The residual, but often very important, powers of the sovereign, most of which are, in practice, exercised by Ministers on behalf of Her Majesty. Within the area of devolved competence, such powers are exercisable by Scottish Ministers (section 53, Scotland Act).
Presiding Officer (PO)	The member who is elected to preside over meetings of the Parliament, to chair the Parliamentary Bureau and the SPCB and to represent the Parliament externally. The Presiding Officer is elected by the Parliament at its first meeting following a general election or if there is a vacancy in the office. The Presiding Officer is supported by two deputies (see Deputy Presiding Officers).
Presiding Officers Office	The office providing advice and support to the Presiding Officer and his or her deputies.
Presiding Officers statement on legislative competence	A written statement by the Presiding Officer indicating whether or not, in his or her view, the provisions of a bill would be within the legislative competence of the Parliament. Such a statement is an accompanying document on the introduction of a bill (section 31, Scotland Act 1998; Standing Orders rules 9.3 and 9A.2.2).
primary legislation	Statutes enacted by a body with legislative powers. Acts of the UK Parliament, Acts of the Scottish Parliament and, rarely, prerogative orders in council, are examples of types of primary legislation made by UK bodies.
principal accountable officer	See accountable officer.
principal appointed day	See D-Day.
principles	See key principles.
private bill	A bill introduced by a person or body (the promoter) for the purpose of obtaining particular powers or benefits in excess of or in conflict with the general law, including any bill relating to the personal affairs or circumstances of the promoter. The legislative procedure for private bills is set out in chapter 9A of the Standing Orders.
private bill committee	Any committee of the Parliament that is established to consider a private bill (rule 9A.5 of the Standing Orders). A private bill committee may consist of up to 5 members. An MSP may not be a member of a private bill committee if he or she resides in, or represents a constituency or region that falls within, the area affected by the bill. Neither may an MSP be a member of a private bill committee if he or she has an interest registered in the Register of Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament or a financial interest that, in the opinion of the Parliamentary Bureau, would be likely to prejudice the proceedings of the committee. Members may only be absent from a meeting of a private bill committee in exceptional circumstances.
Private Bills Unit	The Unit established in 2003 to receive and process all private bills. It provides information and advice to promoters and objectors, as well as clerking services to the committees established to scrutinise private bills.
privilege	A term derived from Westminster parliamentary practice and used loosely for the areas of legal protection or immunity vested by legislation in the Parliament, its members, or officials. The Scottish Parliament does not have parliamentary privilege in the Westminster sense, because that is primarily an inherent power of the UK Parliament, recognised by the courts. The Presiding Officer issued guidance on the matter in August 1999 in the Business Bulletin (Business Bulletin 38/1999).
Privy Council	A body which, in the past, exercised much of the executive power of the sovereign, and which nowadays has a number of residual functions. These include the making of orders in council, aspects of the regulation of certain professions and universities and the granting of royal charters. For devolution purposes, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has an important role as a court in adjudicating on devolution issues.
Procedures Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 7 members, the remit of which is to consider and report on practice and procedures of the Scottish Parliament in relation to its business. The committee must be established within 21 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election. Merged with the Standards and Public Appointments Committee on 27 September 2007.
proceedings of the Parliament	An important procedural and legal concept, not exhaustively defined in the legislation or the Standing Orders, although some guidance as to the sorts of proceedings which would be included is contained in the Presiding Officer’s guidance on ‘parliamentary privilege’ (Business Bulletin 38/1999) Examples include voting, lodging notices of motions and questions, and participating in debates in the Parliament or its committees.
proclamation	A declaration by the Crown that has legal effect. For example, proclamations are used to dissolve the Parliament for the purposes of holding a general election on a day other than on the first Thursday in May every 4 years.
Procurement Office	The office that is responsible for purchasing all goods and services for the Parliament (excluding construction).
promoter	The person or body (not an MSP) who introduces a Private Bill.
promoter's agreement	An agreement or agreements relating to the copyright and licensing of a bill to the parliamentary corporation and some of the related documents. It constitutes one of the accompanying documents of a private bill.
promoter's memorandum	One of the accompanying documents of a private bill. The promoter’s memorandum sets out the bill’s objectives, any consideration of alternative ways of meeting those objectives and any consultation that was carried out.
promoter's statement	One of the accompanying documents of a private bill. The promoter’s statement sets out: details of any required notifications, advertisements and consents as determined by the Presiding Officer. It also gives the locations where the accompanying documents and other relevant documents can be inspected and purchased; and an undertaking to pay the required fees for introduction.
proposal for committee bill	A committee that wishes to introduce a committee bill must first publish a report containing a proposal for such a bill. If the Parliament agrees to the proposal, the convener of the committee may give instructions for the bill to be drafted and introduce it, if the Scottish Executive does not indicate within 5 days that it will introduce a similar bill that would give effect to the proposal (rule 9.15).
proposal for member's bill	A member who wishes to introduce a member’s bill must first lodge a notice of a proposal for such a bill. The member is then required either to consult on the proposal or to secure the agreement of the committee considering the proposal that consultation is not necessary. This is followed by the member lodging a final proposal for the bill, which need not be in identical terms. If, within one month, 18 other members from at least half of the parties represented in the Bureau have supported it, the member may introduce a bill to give effect to the final proposal in accordance with conditions laid out in the Standing Orders, section 9.14.
Public Affairs Group	The group that deals with matters relating to external communications and engagement with the public. It includes Broadcasting, Corporate Publications, Media Relations, Public Information and Visitor and Outreach Services.
Public Audit Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of which is to consider and report on any accounts laid before the Parliament; any report laid before or made to the Parliament by the Auditor General for Scotland; and any other document laid before the Parliament, or referred to it by the Parliamentary Bureau or by the Auditor General for Scotland, concerning financial control, accounting and auditing in relation to public expenditure. The committee must be established within 42 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election. No member of the Scottish Executive or junior Scottish Minister may be a member of the committee. No member who represents a political party which is represented in the Scottish Executive may be convener of the committee.
public bill	A bill which proposes to change the law as it applies generally (unlike a private bill which aims to obtain powers or benefits for the bill’s promoter). Executive bills, members’ bills and committee bills are all public bills.
public expenditure	For the purposes of the Standing Orders (including the remit of the Finance Committee), public expenditure means the expenditure of the Scottish Administration and other expenditure payable out of the Scottish consolidated fund or met out of taxes, charges and other public revenue.
Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000	The Act of the Scottish Parliament which deals with the public financial, budgeting, accounting and auditing procedures and practices of the Scottish Ministers and bodies supported from the Scottish consolidated fund, and with their scrutiny by the Parliament.
Public Information Service	The team within Participation Services that provides an enquiry service for the public.
public petition	One means by which the public can make representations to the Parliament. The form of public petitions and their consideration by the Parliament are governed by rules 15.4-8 of the Standing Orders. Guidance on the submission of public petitions is published on the Parliament’s website.
Public Petitions Committee	A mandatory committee of the Parliament, of 9 members, the remit of which is to decide what action should be taken on admissible public petitions. The Committee is also responsible for deciding, in cases of dispute, whether a public petition is admissible. The committee must be established within 42 sitting days of a Scottish Parliament election.

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Queen's Printer for Scotland (QPS)	The office established by section 92 of the Scotland Act 1998 to carry out certain printing and other functions (such as Crown copyright) in relation to Acts of the Scottish Parliament, subordinate legislation and other official material. The QPS also manages the licensing of Scottish Parliamentary copyright under the terms of an agreement with the Scottish Parliament. The QPS is a member of the staff of the Scottish Administration. Further information is available on the Office of the Queen’s Printer for Scotland website.
Queensberry House	A 17th century building within the Scottish Parliament complex that includes the offices of the Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officers and the Clerk of the Parliament. It formerly belonged to the Dukes of Queensberry and, from 1815 to 1996, was a hospital. In 1997, it was acquired by the Scottish Office for the Parliament.
question	See parliamentary question. Also refers to the terminology used in making decisions, where the Presiding Officer (or convener of a committee) puts a question to the Chamber (or the committee).
Question Time	A period of up to 60 minutes each week (normally on a Thursday), when oral questions to ministers are taken. Since March 2004, Question Time has involved themed questions on two specified subject areas (each covering the portfolios of one or two Ministers) plus general questions.

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reasoned amendment	A colloquial term for an amendment to a motion — particularly a motion to agree the general principles of a bill at Stage 1 or to pass it at Stage 3 — which sets out reasons for or against supporting the motion, or which amends the motion so as to indicate – whilst agreeing that the bill should proceed – that some issues to do with the bill arouse concern.
recess	A non-sitting period when the Parliament is not dissolved, but is not meeting for a particular length of time. The dates of recesses are decided by the Parliament on a motion from the Parliamentary Bureau that has regard to Scottish school holidays (rule 2.3).
Reconsideration Stage	For a public bill, the member in charge of a bill may, after the bill is passed, by motion propose that the Parliament reconsiders the bill (rule 9.9). In the procedure for a private bill, any member may, after the bill is passed, by motion propose that the Parliament reconsiders the bill (rule 9A.11). The purpose of the Reconsideration Stage is to resolve concerns over the competency of a bill.
region	An electoral area which contains a number of Scottish parliamentary constituencies. There are currently 8 regions, each of which returns 7 MSPs. The regions are also the European Parliamentary electoral regions as they existed at the time of devolution.
regional member	An MSP returned for 1 of the 8 electoral regions in Scotland using the additional member system. Regional members are often colloquially called list members because they are generally elected as part of a political party’s list of candidates for that region.
register of cross-party groups	The official record of cross-party groups recognised by the Standards Committee, as provided for in the Code of Conduct for MSPs, and published on the Parliament’s website.
register of members interests	A register which lists details of MSPs’ interests under categories such as remuneration, sponsorship and gifts. It can be consulted on the Parliament’s website and at the Information Desk in the Parliament (in hard copy). Information about the registration of interests can be found in section 1 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
registered political party	A political party which is registered under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998. Registered parties can submit lists of candidates to be regional MSPs. Registered political parties are also entitled to financial assistance for their parliamentary work.
registrable interest	For the purposes of the Code of Conduct for MSPs and related legislation, an interest which must be registered.
registration of interests	A scheme, required by legislation and under the Code of Conduct for MSPs, to ensure that registrable interests of MSPs are entered in the register of members’ interests, in order to provide ethical transparency in their parliamentary conduct.
Reid principles	Colloquial term, sometimes used in the media, to describe the 5 key principles set out in the Presiding Officer’s Guidance on Relationships between MSPs, which was approved by the Parliament on 6 July 2000. See section 8 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.
rejection (of a bill)	Under the Standing Orders, a bill is rejected if the vote at Stage 3 is not valid. This applies even if a majority of those who voted backed the bill. A Stage 3 vote is valid only if the number of members who voted is more than one quarter of the total number of MSPs.
reporter	A member of a parliamentary committee appointed by that committee to report to it on any competent matter. Sometimes know as a rapporteur. A committee may appoint different reporters to report to it on different matters.
Research, Information and Reporting Group	The group which consists of the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) and the Official Report.
reserved matters	Matters which are reserved to the UK Parliament at Westminster and are therefore not within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. The reserved matters are listed in schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998
resignation of member	An MSP may at any time resign his or her seat in the Parliament by giving written notice to the Presiding Officer (section 14, Scotland Act; rule 1.3).
resolution	The form by which decisions of the Parliament are taken, being the terms of a motion agreed to by the Parliament. Resolutions do not generally have the force of law, but are effective as an expression of the will of the Parliament. See, for a particular type, tax-varying resolution.
Review Of SPCB-supported Bodies Committee	An ad hoc committee of six members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on whether alterations should be made to the terms and conditions of the office-holders and the structure of the bodies supported by the SPCB; to consider how any proposals, including the addition of any new functions, for future arrangements should be taken forward, including by way of a Committee Bill, and to make recommendations accordingly.
roll-call vote	A form of voting at a meeting of the Parliament or in a committee, where the roll is called alphabetically and the members are asked to declare orally their vote (‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’).
royal assent	The stage in the legislative process when the approval of the sovereign turns a bill that has been passed by the Parliament into an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
royal proclamation	See proclamation.
Rural Affairs and Environment Committee	A subject committee of the Parliament, of 8 members, the remit of the committee is to consider and report on agriculture, fisheries and rural development and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment.

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sanctions	Penalties which may be imposed for breaches of parliamentary rules, as in the Code of Conduct for MSPs, and as provided in legislation, the Standing Orders and the Code. Examples are exclusion from proceedings of the Parliament and withdrawal of rights and privileges.
schedule 4	The schedule to the Scotland Act 1998 which sets out laws which the Parliament cannot change.
schedule 5	The schedule to the Scotland Act 1998 in which reserved matters are listed.
schedule 6	The schedule to the Scotland Act 1998 which describes devolution issues and how they are dealt with in the courts.
Scotland Act 1998	The main legislation of the UK Parliament giving effect to the government's devolution policy in Scotland, enacted on 19 November 1998 (1998 chapter 46). A large amount of subordinate legislation has been made by the UK government under the Act.
Scotland Office	The department of the UK government that represents Scottish interests in matters that are reserved to the UK Parliament under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998. It is headed by the Secretary of State for Scotland and is part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Further information is available on the Scotland Office website.
Scottish Administration	The term used to denote both the political and administrative sides of the Scottish government. As defined in section 126 of the Scotland Act 1998, it includes members of the Scottish Executive, junior Scottish Ministers, certain non-ministerial office-holders (such as the Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages for Scotland, the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and the Keeper of the Records of Scotland) and their staff. The definition of the Scottish Administration can be changed by an order in council to add non-ministerial office-holders.
Scottish Affairs Committee	A select committee of the House of Commons appointed to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Scotland Office, including relations with the Scottish Parliament and Administration and expenditure of the offices of the Advocate General for Scotland (but excluding individual cases and advice given within government by the Advocate General). It consists of 11, mostly Scottish, MPs.
Scottish budget	A general term for the Scottish Executive’s expenditure plans and other financial proposals, which would be contained in the annual budget bill.
Scottish Commission for Public Audit (SCPA)	A body established by the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000, which has various functions relating to the accounts and audit of Audit Scotland. It consists of the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Audit Committee and 4 other MSPs appointed by the Scottish Parliament in accordance with standing orders. The SCPA is comparable in some respects to the House of Commons’ Public Accounts Commission.
Scottish consolidated fund	The fund created by the Scotland Act 1998 into which payments are made by the Secretary of State or sums received by the Scottish Administration, and out of which the spending of the Scottish Administration and other statutorily defined bodies comes.
Scottish Constitutional Convention (SCC)	The body composed of a number of Scottish political parties and other public groups and organisations which, from 1989 until 1995, produced the detailed proposals for a devolution scheme which informed the UK government's policy from 1997.
Scottish Executive	As defined in section 44 of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Executive is the group of senior Ministers in the Scottish government. It comprises the First Minister, other Ministers appointed by the First Minister under section 47 of the Scotland Act 1998, and the 2 Scottish Law Officers (that is, all Ministers in the devolved government other than junior Scottish Ministers). These members of the Executive are known collectively in the Act as ‘the Scottish Ministers’. Informally, the term is frequently used to mean the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Law Officers and the junior Scottish Ministers, and their staff. The current administration prefers to be called the Scottish Government.
Scottish Government	An informal, descriptive term for the Scottish Executive or more widely, for the Scottish Administration. The current administration prefers to be called the Scottish Government.
Scottish Grand Committee	A standing committee of the House of Commons, consisting of all MPs for Scottish seats, together with some additional members. It has a range of functions under standing orders, from holding Ministers to account through questions and debates to scrutiny of certain types of Scottish legislation.
Scottish Information Commissioner	The independent commissioner, appointed under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, who is responsible for enforcing and promoting the right to access public information created by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, both of which came into force on 1 January 2005. More information is available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Scottish Law Officers	The Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland are the Law Officers in the devolved Scottish government. (Both were formerly ministerial posts within the UK Government). Both are members of the Scottish Executive, but need not be MSPs. Although they can speak in debates and respond to parliamentary questions, they cannot vote in the Scottish Parliament unless they are MSPs.
Scottish ministerial code	A document first issued in August 1999 and revised in August 2003 by the Scottish Executive which contains a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for its Ministers and junior Scottish Ministers.
Scottish Ministers	The collective term used in section 44(2) of the Scotland Act 1998 for the members of the Scottish Executive who exercise statutory functions, including those transferred from UK Ministers of the Crown. Apart from functions conferred specifically on the First Minister or the Lord Advocate, functions conferred on the Scottish Ministers can be exercised by any member of the Scottish Executive. The First Minister is responsible for allocating, and defining the remit of, ministerial posts. The term ‘the Scottish Ministers’ is also applied colloquially to any Ministers or junior Scottish Ministers.
Scottish Office	The name of the former department of the UK government, under the Secretary of State for Scotland, which dealt with many areas of Scottish government prior to the establishment of devolution. At devolution, it was succeeded at UK level by the Scotland Office and most of its officials transferred to the newly established Scottish Executive.
Scottish Parliament (SP)	The legislature created by the Scotland Act 1998, section 1(1), which states simply: 'There shall be a Scottish Parliament'. Comprising 129 MSPs elected by a form of proportional representation, it has power to pass primary legislation over a wide area of Scottish affairs, and to hold to account the devolved Scottish Administration.
Scottish Parliament electronic information resource (SPEIR)	The Parliament’s intranet. Speir in Scots means to inquire, or, as a noun, inquiry or questioning.
Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)	The office comprising the Research Services and Information Services teams, that provides research and information services to parliamentary committees, MSPs, their staff, and other offices within the Parliament. In the House of Commons, these services are provided by the Department of the Library.
Scottish Parliament logo	The Scottish Parliament's official logo comprises two parts: the words ‘The Scottish Parliament’ and a badge made up of the Saltire and a crown.
Scottish Parliament Pensions Bill Committee	An ad hoc committee of four members, the remit of the committee is to consider the Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Bill at Stage 2.
Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB)	The statutory body which performs various functions set out in the Scotland Act 1998, including arranging for the provision of the Parliament’s staff, property and services. Its members are the Presiding Officer and four MSPs appointed in accordance with the Standing Orders (rule 3.6-3.10). It is also known as the parliamentary corporation.
Scottish parliamentary pension scheme (SPPS)	A pension scheme for MSPs, Ministers and various parliamentary office holders. It was initially established primarily by the Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme) Order 1999 (SI 1999/1082), which makes special provision for the First Minister and the Presiding Officer. If it wishes, the Parliament can amend the scheme by Act or resolution.
Scottish Parliamentary Pensions Scheme Committee	An ad hoc committee of the Parliament, of 4 members, the remit of the committee is to inquire into and report with recommendations for a Committee Bill on a replacement for the Scottish Parliamentary Pension Scheme rules and the Grants to Members and Officeholders Order.
Scottish Parliamentary Service (SPS)	The Scottish Parliamentary Service is the collective term for the group of professional staff employed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) to support the business and operations of the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner	The independent commissioner, appointed under the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002, who investigates complaints that MSPs have breached the Code of Conduct.
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman	An office established by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 to look into complaints about Scottish government departments, local authorities, housing associations, other public bodies, and the National Health Service in Scotland. In its functions, it replaces the following ombudsmen: the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Health Service Commissioner for Scotland, the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland (Local Government Ombudsman), and the Housing Association Ombudsman for Scotland. More information is available on the website of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman.
Scottish statutory instrument (SSI)	The main legislative form for legislation made, confirmed or approved by the Scottish Ministers and others, within devolved competence. Like UK statutory instruments, they are subject to specific requirements in terms of their form and publication. SSIs are numbered consecutively for each calendar year (e.g. 2000 no. 23 or 2000/23) and are published on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
secondary committee	A committee within whose remit an item or matter falls, but which is not the designated lead committee. The secondary committee, if it wishes to report on the item or matter, does so to the lead committee rather than to the Parliament.
secondary legislation	Legislation made by a Minister or other person or body under powers granted in an Act. Secondary legislation is also called subordinate legislation or delegated legislation. It is most often in the form of rules, regulations or orders and is often made by statutory instrument.
Secretary of State for Scotland	The head of the Scotland Office and the senior Minister of the UK Government dealing with Scottish matters. The Secretary of State for Scotland has been a member of the UK Cabinet since the 1920s. Before devolution, the Secretary of State for Scotland was the political head of the Scottish Office.
section	A piece of text in an Act of the Scottish Parliament, consisting of one or more sentences gathered together under a section title. Sections are numbered. Some Acts also contain schedules, which are set out at the end of an Act. In a Westminster bill, the equivalent to a section is known as a clause.
Security Office	The office that is responsible for protecting the Parliament’s assets and property, and for establishing a safe and secure environment throughout the parliamentary complex. It also provides a messenger service for MSPs in committees and during plenary sessions.
selection of amendments	The power of the Presiding Officer at Stage 3 of a bill to decide which of the admissible amendments lodged for Stage 3 are to be debated. Selection criteria are set out in the Scottish Parliament’s Guidance on Public Bills.
selection panel	A group of MSPs, established by rule 3.11 of the Standing Orders, whose purpose is to nominate a person for appointment by the Queen. The panel consists of the Presiding Officer, the convener of a committee and between 4 and 7 other MSPs appointed by the Presiding Officer, having regard to the balance of political parties in the Parliament.
session	The period from the date of first meeting of the Parliament following a general election until it is dissolved. This period is normally just under four years, unless there is an extraordinary general election. Note that a session of the UK Parliament is usually of approximately a year’s duration (unless before or after a general election, for example), and that the Westminster equivalent of a Scottish Parliament session is usually described as ‘a parliament’ (a period of a maximum of five years).
Session 1 Committees	Mandatory committees: Audit Committee; Equal Opportunities Committee; European Committee (succeeded by European and External Relations Committee on 5 March 2003); European and External Relations Committee; Finance Committee; Procedures Committee; Public Petitions Committee; Standards Committee; Subordinate Legislation Committee. Subject committees: Education, Culture and Sport Committee; Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee; Health and Community Care Committee; Justice and Home Affairs Committee (became Justice 1 Committee in January 2001); Justice 1 Committee; Justice 2 Committee; Local Government Committee; Rural Affairs Committee (became Rural Development Committee in January 2001); Rural Development Committee; Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee (became Social Justice Committee in January 2001); Social Justice Committee; Transport and the Environment Committee. Bill committees: Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill Committee; National Galleries of Scotland Bill Committee; Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm (Navigation and Fishing) (Scotland) Bill Committee; Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill Committee; Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Bill Committee.
Session 2 Committees	Mandatory committees: Audit Committee; Equal Opportunities Committee; European and External Relations Committee; Finance Committee; Procedures Committee; Public Petitions Committee; Standards Committee (succeeded by Standards and Public Appointments Committee on 18 March 2005); Subordinate Legislation Committee. Subject Committees: Communities Committee; Education Committee; Enterprise and Culture Committee; Environment and Rural Development Committee; Health Committee; Justice 1 Committee; Justice 2 Committee; Local Government and Transport Committee. Sub-Committees: Justice 2 Sub-Committee. Adhoc Committees: Adhoc Standards Committee. Bill Committees: Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Bill Committee; Baird Trust Reorganisation Bill Committee; Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee; Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee; Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee; Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee; Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway and Linked Improvements Bill Committee; Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill Committee; Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Bill Committee.
Sewel convention	A convention developed by the UK Government to the effect that Westminster will not normally legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the Parliament. Subsequently extended to include Westminster legislation to alter the extent of the Parliament’s legislative competence or the devolved competence of the Executive. Named after Lord Sewel, junior Scottish Office minister during the passage of the Scotland Bill. See also Legislative Consent Memorandum, Legislative Consent Motion.
Sewel motion	See Legislative Consent Motion
shadow	An informal term for opposition frontbench posts or structures mirroring those in the government (as in shadow minister, shadow cabinet). It is derived from Westminster parliamentary practice.
Short money	The colloquial name for the scheme of financial assistance for opposition parties in the House of Commons. Therefore it is sometimes loosely used as a colloquial term for the scheme of assistance for registered non-Executive political parties in the Scottish Parliament that was established initially under the Scottish Parliament (Assistance for Registered Political Parties) Order 1999.
simple majority	When the number of members voting for a proposition is more than the number of members voting against it. No account is taken in this context of those voting to abstain, or not voting. Most Parliamentary decisions that are taken by division require only a simple majority. See also absolute majority.
sitting day	Under the Standing Orders, a day when the Office of the Clerk is open, but not when the Parliament is in recess or dissolved. Meetings of the Parliament normally take place on a sitting day during the normal parliamentary week. Committee meetings are not restricted to sitting days.
Solicitor General for Scotland	The junior Scottish Law Officer. The Solicitor General for Scotland is a member of the Scottish Executive, but not a member of the Scottish Cabinet.
SPCB Question Time	Under rule 3.9 of the Standing Orders, a period of up to 15 minutes when oral questions to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body are taken. Questions may be answered by any member of the SPCB. Questions are selected at random by computer.
SPCB's further expenditure plan	A spending plan provided by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to the Parliament’s Finance Committee and to the Scottish Executive by 20 August each year (or by the first sitting day thereafter). It is provided under the written agreement between the SPCB and the Committee (SP Paper 156, June 2000) and reflects any changes in the SPCB’s provisional expenditure plan.
SPCB's provisional expenditure plan	A spending plan provided by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to the Parliament’s Finance Committee and to the Scottish Executive by 1 March each year (or by the first sitting day thereafter) under the written agreement between the SPCB and the Committee (SP Paper 156, June 2000).
special adviser	A temporary civil servant appointed by the First Minister or the Deputy First Minister to advise Ministers on matters where the work of government and the work of the government parties overlap. Unlike permanent civil servants, special advisers do not have to behave with political impartiality, and must leave their posts if the First Minister or Deputy First Minister who appointed them leaves office.
special rules	The rules of legislative procedure in rules 9.14-9.21 of the Standing Orders which apply to particular types of bills (such as members’ bills, committee bills and emergency bills) and, in cases of conflict, supersede the general rules of rules 9.2-9.13. The rules for private bills are in chapter 9A.
SPICe The Information Centre	An office that provides facts, analysis, briefings; research; news and current affairs; impartial expertise and other information services.
sponsorship	A registrable interest, for the purposes of the Code of Conduct for MSPs and related legislation, where an MSP receives any financial or material support on a continuing basis to assist him or her as an MSP.
staff of the Parliament	The Clerk of the Parliament and other officials provided by the SPCB for the Parliament’s purposes. As such, they are public servants rather than civil servants.
staff of the Scottish Administration	Civil servants appointed by the Scottish Ministers or by office-holders in the Scottish Administration. They are members of the unified UK Civil Service, the management of which is a reserved matter, although various functions are delegated to the First Minister. It does not include Scottish Parliament staff, who are appointed by the SPCB.
Stage 1	In the procedure for a public bill, Stage 1 is the consideration of, and decision on, the bill's general principles (rule 9.6).
Stage 2	In the procedure for a public bill, Stage 2 is a consideration and amendment of the details of a bill by a parliamentary committee (or committees) or in a committee of the whole Parliament (rule 9.7).
Stage 3