This Order provides that certain functions transferred to the Scottish Ministers by virtue of section 53 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46) shall be exercisable by a Minister of the Crown as well as by the Scottish Ministers.

Article 3(1) and (2) of the Order provides that the functions described in Column 1 of Schedule 1 to the Order, in certain cases to the extent specified in Column 2 of that Schedule, shall be exercisable by the person by whom it was exercisable immediately before that transfer as well as by the Scottish Ministers.

Article 3(3) provides that the functions described in Schedule 2 to the Order shall be exercisable by a Minister of the Crown as well as by the Scottish Ministers.

This Order will come into force on the principal appointed day. That day is currently 1st July 1999 by virtue of the Scotland Act 1998 (Commencement) Order 1998 (S.I. 1998/3178).