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Difficulty: HardThe 1990s: Good Friday Agreement and Devolution

Following the constitutional reforms and referendums of the late 1990s, new devolved administrations were established in Scotland and Wales in 1999. Which of the following accurately describes the difference in the legislative powers initially granted to these two bodies?

  1. The Scottish Parliament was granted the power to pass primary legislation and vary income tax, whereas the National Assembly for Wales initially had power only over secondary legislation.Answer
  2. B
    The National Assembly for Wales was granted primary legislative and tax-varying powers, while the Scottish Parliament was established as an executive body with no authority to change laws.
  3. C
    Both the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales were granted identical powers to pass primary legislation, including the right to set independent VAT rates.
  4. D
    The Good Friday Agreement mandated that the Welsh Assembly must use a power-sharing executive, while the Scottish Parliament was permitted to use a majoritarian system.

Answer

The Scottish Parliament was granted primary legislative and tax-varying powers, while the National Assembly for Wales initially had power over secondary legislation.
The correct answer accurately distinguishes between the two models of devolution implemented in 1999. The Scottish Parliament was a 'legislative' body with the power to create new laws (primary legislation) and change income tax rates, while the National Assembly for Wales was an 'executive' body with powers limited to secondary legislation (statutory instruments) in specific areas like health and education.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the legislative status of the Scottish Parliament.
It was established with the power to pass primary legislation (Acts of the Scottish Parliament) on 'devolved' matters.
Scotland has a distinct legal system and a history of separate administrative functions.
2
Identify the fiscal powers of the Scottish Parliament.
It was given the power to vary income tax by up to 3p3\text{p} in the pound.
This provided a degree of financial accountability to the Scottish electorate.
3
Contrast with the initial National Assembly for Wales.
The Welsh Assembly initially only had the power to make secondary legislation (rules and regulations) within the framework of laws passed at Westminster.
Devolution in Wales was initially more focused on executive administration rather than full legislative independence.

Key Concept

Asymmetrical Devolution
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Topics

The 1990s: Good Friday Agreement and Devolution

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