§ Baroness Smith of Gilmorehillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether additional guidance will be published to show those issues for which Ministers remain responsible following devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [HL3692]
§ The Lord ChancellorI am today placing in the Library a Devolution Guidance Note (Number 11) on ministerial accountability after devolution, covering Scotland and Wales. The guidance note will also be made available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk). While the note does not supplant the devolution legislation, it is intended to offer a lay guide to the broad areas which remain the responsibility of UK Ministers, and for which they are accountable to the UK Parliament. The note will be expanded over the summer to include guidance on Northern Ireland.