|
Public Administration & Politics |
|
| Edinburgh is the location of the offices of many
organisations serving not only the City, but also the
whole of Scotland, and in some instances such as the
Forestry Commission, the United Kingdom. This section
summarises the main responsibilities of central and local
government, and details the Members of Parliament for
Edinburgh.
Central Government |
|
 |
Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries |
|
Development |
|
Education and Industry |
|
Health |
|
Home |
The Secretary of State for Scotland, who is a member of the Cabinet, has overall charge and junior ministers take responsibility for groupings of departmental functions. On the 11 September 1997, the people of Scotland voted in favour of the creation of a Scottish Parliament. Its home will be in Edinburgh, in a new purpose-built complex adjacent to Holyrood Palace in the historic heart of the capital. The first elections will take place in 1999 and the Scottish Parliament will be operational from the year 2000. The devolved matters over which the new Parliament will have legislative power include: |
|
|
Health; |
|
Education and Training; |
|
Local Government, Social Work and Housing; |
|
Economic Development and Transport; |
|
Law and Home Affairs; |
|
Environment; |
|
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; |
|
Sport and the Arts. |
The Government will reserve powers in some matters such as: |
|
| Constitution of the UK; UK foreign policy, defence and national security; UK fiscal and economic system; Employment legislation; Social security policy; Transport safety. | |