🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Devolution and the Nations

1. What does the term 'devolution' refer to in the context of the United Kingdom?

1. The transfer of certain powers from the central UK government to bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
2. The complete independence of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom
3. The merging of the Scottish, Welsh and English parliaments into one body
4. The removal of all law-making powers from the UK Parliament in Westminster

Devolution is the transfer of powers from the central UK government to bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while certain powers remain with the UK Parliament. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations))

2. In which year did the process of devolving powers to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland begin under a new Labour government?

1. 1997
2. 1985
3. 2007
4. 1972

Since 1997, when the Labour government came to power, some powers have been devolved to give people in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland more control over local matters. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5)

3. What led to the establishment of a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament in the late 1990s?

1. Referendums held in Wales and Scotland
2. A ruling by the European Court of Human Rights
3. A decision made solely by the monarch
4. The abolition of the UK Parliament

Referendums in Wales and Scotland led to the establishment of a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5)

4. In which city are the Welsh government and the National Assembly for Wales based?

1. Cardiff
2. Swansea
3. Newport
4. Wrexham

The Welsh government and National Assembly for Wales are based in Cardiff, where the Assembly meets in a building called the Senedd. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

5. What is the name of the building in which the National Assembly for Wales meets?

1. The Senedd
2. Holyrood
3. Stormont
4. Westminster Hall

The Welsh Assembly meets in a building in Cardiff called the Senedd. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

6. What are the elected members of the Scottish Parliament called?

1. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
2. Assembly Members (AMs)
3. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
4. Members of Parliament (MPs)

The Scottish Parliament is made up of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), elected by a form of proportional representation. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

7. What are the elected members of the National Assembly for Wales known as?

1. Assembly Members (AMs)
2. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
3. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
4. Senedd Senators

The National Assembly for Wales has Assembly Members (AMs), elected by a form of proportional representation. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

8. In which two languages may members speak in the National Assembly for Wales, with publications produced in both?

1. Welsh and English
2. English and French
3. Welsh and Gaelic
4. English and Latin

Members can speak in either Welsh or English, and all Assembly publications are produced in both languages. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

9. From which year has the National Assembly for Wales been able to pass laws on devolved subjects without needing the agreement of the UK Parliament?

1. 2011
2. 1997
3. 2007
4. 1999

Since 2011 the National Assembly for Wales has been able to pass its own laws (Acts) on devolved subjects without needing Westminster's agreement. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

10. Before 2011, what was the position regarding the National Assembly for Wales making laws?

1. It could only make some laws with the agreement of the UK Parliament
2. It had no power to make any laws at all
3. It could make any law without any restriction
4. It could only advise the monarch on new laws

Before 2011 the Welsh Assembly could only make some laws with the agreement of the UK Parliament; full law-making powers on devolved subjects came in 2011. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government))

11. In which year was a Northern Ireland Parliament first established, when Ireland was divided?

1. 1922
2. 1972
3. 1998
4. 1997

A Northern Ireland Parliament was established in 1922 when Ireland was divided. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

12. What happened to the Northern Ireland Parliament in 1972 during the Troubles?

1. It was abolished, and Northern Ireland was governed directly from London
2. It was given full independence from the United Kingdom
3. It was merged with the Scottish Parliament
4. It was renamed the Northern Ireland Assembly

The Northern Ireland Parliament established in 1922 was abolished in 1972, after which Northern Ireland was governed directly from London. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

13. The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after which 1998 agreement?

1. The Belfast Agreement (Good Friday Agreement)
2. The Act of Union
3. The Maastricht Treaty
4. The Treaty of Rome

The Northern Ireland Assembly was established soon after the Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, of 1998. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

14. What are the elected members of the Northern Ireland Assembly known as?

1. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
2. Assembly Members (AMs)
3. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
4. Members of Parliament (MPs)

The Northern Ireland Assembly is made up of elected members known as MLAs (members of the Legislative Assembly). (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

15. What kind of arrangement does Northern Ireland operate to distribute ministerial offices among the main parties?

1. A power-sharing agreement
2. A single-party majority system
3. Direct rule from Cardiff
4. A rotating monarchy

Northern Ireland operates a power-sharing agreement which distributes ministerial offices among the main parties. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

16. The Northern Ireland Assembly has been suspended on several occasions but has been running successfully since which year?

1. 2007
2. 1998
3. 2011
4. 1972

The Assembly has been suspended several times but has been running successfully since 2007. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Northern Ireland))

17. Which body has kept the power to suspend all of the devolved assemblies?

1. The UK government
2. The European Union
3. The monarch acting alone
4. The Scottish Parliament

The UK government has kept the power to suspend all the devolved assemblies and has used it several times for the Northern Ireland Assembly. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations))

18. Which of the following is a power reserved to the central UK government rather than devolved?

1. Defence
2. Health services in Scotland
3. The Welsh language
4. Education in Northern Ireland

Reserved matters such as defence remain under the control of the UK government in Westminster and are not devolved. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5; UK Parliament glossary 'Devolved and reserved matters')

19. Someone tells you that the Scottish Parliament decides the UK's policy on foreign affairs and immigration. Why is this incorrect?

1. Foreign affairs and immigration are reserved matters controlled by the UK Parliament
2. The Scottish Parliament has no powers of any kind
3. Only the Welsh Assembly can decide immigration policy
4. These matters are decided by the European Union

Foreign affairs and immigration are reserved matters that remain under the control of the UK government in Westminster, not the devolved administrations. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (reserved matters))

20. Which set of matters all remain reserved to the UK Parliament rather than being devolved?

1. Defence, foreign affairs and immigration
2. Health, education and housing
3. Planning, the Welsh language and agriculture
4. Civil law, social services and the environment

Reserved matters that remain under Westminster control include defence, foreign affairs, immigration, central taxation and social security. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (reserved matters))

21. On which of the following can the Scottish Parliament pass laws, because it is NOT reserved to the UK Parliament?

1. Health and education in Scotland
2. Defence of the United Kingdom
3. UK immigration policy
4. UK social security

The Scottish Parliament can legislate on all matters not specifically reserved to Westminster, including health and education; defence, immigration and social security remain reserved. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament; reserved matters))

22. Which area is a devolved policy area that the Welsh Assembly can legislate on, rather than a reserved matter?

1. Health and social services in Wales
2. Defence
3. Foreign affairs
4. Immigration

Devolved policy areas in Wales include education, health and social services, housing and the Welsh language, while defence, foreign affairs and immigration stay with Westminster. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Welsh government; reserved matters))

23. What does each of the three devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have of its own?

1. Its own civil service
2. Its own armed forces
3. Its own currency
4. Its own immigration policy

Each of the three devolved administrations has its own civil service, while reserved matters such as defence and foreign affairs remain controlled by the UK government in London. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations))

24. What is the official name given to the members elected to the Scottish Parliament?

1. Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
2. Members of Parliament (MPs)
3. Assembly Members (AMs)
4. Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs)

The Scottish Parliament is made up of Members of the Scottish Parliament, known as MSPs. AMs sit in Wales and MLAs sit in Northern Ireland. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

25. How are Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) elected?

1. By a form of proportional representation
2. By the UK Prime Minister
3. By appointment from local councils
4. By a hereditary system

MSPs are elected by a form of proportional representation, the same method used for the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

26. On which type of matters can the Scottish Parliament pass laws for Scotland?

1. All matters that are not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament
2. Only matters that the UK Parliament approves in advance
3. Only matters relating to foreign affairs
4. Only matters relating to defence and immigration

The Scottish Parliament can legislate on any matter that is not specifically reserved to the UK Parliament in Westminster. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

27. Which of the following areas is the Scottish Parliament able to legislate on?

1. Health, education and planning
2. Defence and the armed forces
3. Immigration and border control
4. Foreign affairs and international relations

Devolved areas the Scottish Parliament can legislate on include civil and criminal law, health, education, planning and additional taxation. Defence, immigration and foreign affairs are reserved to Westminster. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

28. A new law on the running of hospitals and the health service in Scotland is being proposed. Which body has the power to pass such a law?

1. The Scottish Parliament, because health is a devolved matter
2. The UK Parliament only, because health is a reserved matter
3. The European Parliament
4. Local councils acting alone

Health is one of the devolved areas on which the Scottish Parliament can legislate, so it can pass health laws for Scotland. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

29. Devolution in Scotland involves the transfer of powers from which body?

1. The central UK government in Westminster
2. The United Nations
3. Local town councils
4. The monarch personally

Devolution is the transfer of powers from the central UK government to bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while certain powers remain at Westminster. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations section))

30. In which year did the process of devolving powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland begin under a newly elected government?

1. 1997
2. 1972
3. 2011
4. 1922

Since 1997, when the Labour government came to power, powers began to be devolved; referendums in Scotland and Wales led to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament and a Welsh Assembly. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5)

31. A campaigner wants Scotland to set certain additional taxes of its own. Is this within the power of the Scottish Parliament?

1. Yes, because additional taxation is a devolved area for the Scottish Parliament
2. No, because all taxation is reserved to Westminster
3. No, because only local councils can set taxes
4. Yes, but only with the prior agreement of the European Union

Additional taxation is listed among the areas the Scottish Parliament can legislate on, alongside civil and criminal law, health, education and planning. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

32. A person argues that the Scottish Parliament should change UK immigration policy. Why is this argument incorrect?

1. Immigration is a reserved matter controlled by the UK Parliament, not a devolved power
2. The Scottish Parliament can change immigration policy whenever it wishes
3. Immigration policy is decided only by Scottish local councils
4. Immigration is a devolved matter that Scotland controls fully

Immigration is among the reserved matters that remain under the control of the UK Parliament at Westminster, so the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate on it. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5; UK Parliament glossary 'Devolved and reserved matters')

33. Which of the following remains a reserved matter and therefore CANNOT be decided by the Scottish Parliament?

1. Defence
2. Education
3. Planning
4. Civil and criminal law

Defence is reserved to the UK government in London. Education, planning and civil and criminal law are devolved areas the Scottish Parliament can legislate on. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations))

34. Does the Scottish Parliament have powers over both civil and criminal law in Scotland?

1. Yes, civil and criminal law are among its devolved areas
2. No, all law in Scotland is made only at Westminster
3. No, it can only make criminal law, not civil law
4. No, it can only make civil law, not criminal law

Civil and criminal law are listed among the matters the Scottish Parliament can legislate on for Scotland. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (Scottish Parliament))

35. If the political situation required it, which body retains the legal power to suspend the Scottish Parliament and the other devolved assemblies?

1. The UK government
2. The Scottish Parliament itself
3. Individual local councils
4. The Welsh Senedd

The UK government has kept the power to suspend all the devolved assemblies; it has used this power several times in the case of the Northern Ireland Assembly. (Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents (3rd edition), Home Office, Chapter 5 (devolved administrations))