The Scotland Act 1998 (Commencement) Order 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order appoints various days for the coming into force of all the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46) (“the Act”), except those which were brought into force on enactment by virtue of section 130(1) of that Act.

Article 2(1) provides that all the provisions of the Act, so far as not then in force, should come into force on 1st July 1999, except those specified in Schedule 5. Article 3 designates 1st July 1999 as the principal appointed day for the purposes of the Act. It is on this day that the Scottish Parliament will acquire its power to make laws and that functions will be transferred to Scottish Ministers.

Article 2(2) appoints the following days for the coming into force of various provisions of the Act, namely:

(a) 25th January 1999 for the provisions in Schedule 1 which are mainly about the making of subordinate legislation;

(b) 1st April 1999 for the provisions in Schedule 2 which are mainly about the establishment of the Scottish Consolidated Fund;

(c) 6th May 1999 for the provisions in Schedule 3 which are mainly about the constitution, proceedings and administration of the Scottish Parliament;

(d) 20th May 1999 for the provision in Schedule 4 which are mainly about the Scottish Law Officers; and

(e) 1st April 2000 for the provisions in Schedule 5 which are mainly about the examination and auditing of accounts.