HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 c458W
Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what regular assessments of the balance between devolved and reserved powers are carried out. [185660]

Mrs. McGuire

The Government keeps policy and practice in relation to all aspects of the Scottish devolution settlement under review.

Those matters reserved to the UK Parliament are set out in Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998. Any amendments to Schedule 5, either increasing or reducing the scope of reserved matters, are considered on a caseby-case basis and are subject to scrutiny in both the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) devolved issues and (b) other responsibilities have been transferred from the Scottish Executive to the UK Government since 1999; what return of funding each transfer involved; how many staff each transfer involved; and what legal basis was required for each transfer. [185661]

Mrs. McGuire

There have been no devolved issues transferred from the Scottish Executive to Ministers of the Crown since 1 July 1999.

Mr. Tynan

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) reserved issues and (b) other responsibilities have been transferred from the UK Government to the Scottish Executive since its creation; what additional funding each transfer involved; how many staff each transfer involved; and what legal basis was required for each transfer. [185662]

Mrs. McGuire

This is a complex and detailed matter, which will require the preparation of a comprehensive list of legislation that relates to any transfer of functions or legislative competence. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as this list can be prepared and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.