| 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 within the Access and Information Directorate 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 within the Directorate of Technology and Facilities Management 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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