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Home > Glossary > ..back |
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Glossary
| West Lothian question |
The colloquial name for the perceived constitutional anomalies that would be a consequence of a system of devolution applicable only to parts of the UK. It is named after the constituency of Tam Dalyell MP, who raised these difficulties during the parliamentary passage of devolution bills in the late 1970s. In narrow terms, the question was why MPs for Scottish constituencies would be able to speak and vote on matters affecting UK areas outwith Scotland when neither they nor MPs from those areas could speak or vote at Westminster on those matters as they affected Scotland if they had been devolved to a Scottish legislature. |
| Westminster |
The colloquial name for the UK Parliament, comprising the House of Commons and the House of Lords. |
| whip, whipping |
Informal terms, derived from Westminster parliamentary practice, for the enforcement of parliamentary party discipline and for those who enforce such discipline on behalf of a party or group. Whip is used as a colloquial term for the party business managers and others who fulfil this task in the Parliament, who, in some cases are described by their parties in these terms. |
| Whitehall |
The colloquial name for the UK government generally, and the civil service bureaucracy in particular. |
| winding up allowance |
Under the members allowances scheme, an allowance up to a specified limit for MSPs to use when they cease to be members and wind up their parliamentary duties and activities. |
| withdrawal (of a bill) |
A bill may be withdrawn at any time by the member in charge but shall not be withdrawn after completion of Stage 1 except with the agreement of Parliament (rule 9.13). A private bill may be withdrawn at any time by the promoter. Where a private bill is withdrawn, another private bill in the same or similar terms may not be introduced by the same promoter within a period of 6 months from the date of which the private bill was withdrawn (rule 9A.15). |
| withdrawal of rights and privileges |
A sanction, provided for by the devolution legislation, which can be imposed on members following a recommendation by the Standards and Public Appointments Committee. Such a recommendation is made in a motion when the Standards and Public Appointments Committee considers it appropriate following a breach of the Code of Conduct for MSPs. |
| witness |
A person invited or required to attend a meeting of a committee for the purpose of giving evidence.(Rule 2.6 and 12.4) |
| working-level agreement |
An agreement between the Scottish Executive and a UK government department which builds on an existing bilateral concordat and provides more operational arrangements on various matters. For example, the first such agreement with the Department for Education and Skills was published on 1 February 2000, on job search and support and job-related training. |
| Written Answers Report (WAR) |
A publication containing the answers to written questions (including oral questions selected for First Minister's Question Time or Question Time but not reached). The WAR forms part of the Official Report. |
| written question |
A question lodged by a member which is specified as being for written answer by a member of the Scottish Executive or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. Written questions are published in the Business Bulletin; answers are published in the Written Answers Report. An oral question which is selected for answer at Question Time or First Minister’s Question Time, but not reached, is treated as a written question and is answered accordingly. |
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