Paragraph 2: Functions etc.
Paragraph 2(1) provides that paragraph 1 does not have the effect of reserving Her Majesty’s prerogative and other executive functions, or functions exercisable by any person acting on behalf of the Crown. This enables the Scottish Parliament to legislate about those functions where they do not relate to other reserved matters and enables such functions which are exercised by a Minister of the Crown in or as regards Scotland to transfer to the Scottish Ministers under section 53. (See also the note at the end of this Section on the giving of advice to Her Majesty.)
Paragraph 2(1)(c) also makes it clear that the offices in the Scottish Administration are not reserved matters so that the Scottish Parliament has the competence to amend or abolish such offices, such as the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament could not, however, amend or abolish the Ministerial offices in the Scottish Administration (i.e. the members of the Scottish Executive as provided for by section 44) by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 4.
Paragraph 2(2) qualifies paragraph 2(1) by providing that it does not affect the reservation by paragraph 1 of honours and dignities or the functions of the Lord Lyon King of Arms with regard to the granting of arms i.e. the right to bear and use a coat of arms in Scotland (although this does not apply to the Lord Lyon King of Arms in his judicial capacity). This is required because otherwise, by virtue of paragraph 2(1), all the functions relating to honours and dignities (e.g. peerages, knighthoods, and decorations), such as the making of recommendations to the Queen regarding the grant of honours etc., and the functions of the Lord Lyon relating to the granting of arms would not be reserved. However, the functions of the Lord Lyon in his judicial capacity are not reserved. (See also the note at the end of this Section on the giving of advice to Her Majesty.)
Paragraph 2(3) qualifies paragraph 2(1) by providing that it does not affect the reservation by paragraph 1 of the management (in accordance with any enactment regulating the use of land) of the Crown Estate. This has the effect of ensuring that the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate about the Crown Estate Commissioners or their functions of managing the Crown property, rights and interests known as the Crown Estate under the Crown Estate Act 1961. The Scottish Parliament will, however, be able to legislate to affect the Crown Estate by virtue of paragraph 3(1).
Paragraph 2(4) qualifies paragraph 2(1) by providing that it does not affect the reservation by paragraph 1 of the functions of the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Headquarters. This supplements the reservation of national security and interception of communications in Section B8.
Paragraph 2(5)(1) qualifies paragraph 2(1) by providing that it does not affect the reservation by paragraph 1 of the functions exercisable through the Export Credit Guarantee Department. The ECGD provides underwriting services and technical advice and assistance to exporters.
Parliamentary Consideration
| Stage | Date | Column |
|---|---|---|
| CC | 30-Mar-98 | 903 |
| CC | 30-Mar-98 | 906 |
| CC | 30-Mar-98 | 907 |
| CR | 19-May-98 | 806 |
| LR | 3-Nov-98 | 142 |
| LR | 3-Nov-98 | 143 |
This paragraph was inserted by article 3 of the Scotland Act 1998 (Modifications of Schedules 4 and 5) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/1749).