This glossary provides definitions of key parliamentary terms used on the website.
It's intended to cover those terms that are mostly commonly used during the business of Parliament. It's not a complete list! If you think we've missed any useful ones, please let us know at info@parliament.scot.
An Act is a new law which has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. Acts are introduced as Bills.
The public and any groups can give their views about a Bill. The Bill will also be debated, voted on, and may be amended or changed. The Parliament then decides if it should be passed. It can then become an Act.
Learn more about Bills, Acts and laws
A committee which has been set up to look at something specific. For example, it could be set up to consider types of bills such as private bills.
A person who can be appointed to help a committee with an inquiry.
The UK government’s Law Officer who deals with Scottish issues.
After they’re elected, all MSPs must take the oath of allegiance or make the solemn affirmation in front of the Clerk at a meeting of the Parliament.
An MSP can’t take part until they have taken the oath or made the solemn affirmation. An MSP that does not do this (normally within 2 months) stops being an MSP.
A statutory instrument that needs to be approved by Parliament before it comes into force. The lead committee must recommend to the Parliament either that it approves the instrument or not.
Proposed changes to motions or bills.
When a private or public bill has had to go through a process of Reconsideration, the final step of that process is for Parliament to decide whether to approve the bill.
MSPs who are not Ministers, party leaders or party spokespersons.
A formula used to work out how much money the Scottish Parliament gets from the UK Parliament. Named after Joel Barnett, Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the late 1970s.
SPICe Spotlight: blog post on the Barnett formula
A draft act introduced into Parliament. It might be a new idea or change or remove part of an existing law. A Bill that is introduced in the Scottish Parliament is scrutinised and debated by MSPs.
Every year the parliament looks at the Scottish Government’s plan for what it’s going to spend.
Learn about the budget process
See Parliamentary Bureau.
The Business Bulletin is published every day. It has details of current and future parliamentary business.
The MSP which represents their political party at the Parliamentary Bureau. They also organise their party’s contributions to debates and other parliamentary business.
A motion which gives details of what parliamentary business will take place. A member of the Parliamentary Bureau will move this motion.
An election which happens if there is a vacancy in a constituency during a parliamentary session.
The group of senior Ministers of the Scottish government appointed by the First Minister.
A senior minister appointed to the Cabinet by the First Minister. The current government calls the Senior Ministers Cabinet Secretaries and the junior Ministers, Ministers.
See Debating Chamber.
See Clerk of the Parliament.
Someone who works for the parliament and supports parliamentary business or a committee.
The most senior person who works for the parliament. They are also the Chief Executive.
Read about the Clerk of the Parliament
A small group of MSPs who look at specific subjects like health, education or justice.
A Public Bill introduced by the Convener of a committee.
Learn more about Committee Bills
A meeting when the full parliament considers Stage 2 of a bill.
An MSP who stands in for any other MSP from their party on a particular committee.
An organisation representing the parliaments of the Commonwealth states. The Scottish Parliament is a member.
Read about international relations in the Scottish Parliament
Issues which are within the remit of any particular committee of the Parliament.
If there are objections to a Private Bill, they are considered by the Private Bill Committee.
The committee members listen to the arguments on both sides and decide between them (like the judge in a court would do). Sometimes, the committee will publish a report to explain the decisions it makes on objections.
Learn more about Private Bills
An MSP elected using the first-past-the-post voting system for a constituency.
A document which is used to get views from the public and selected organisations on a particular issue.
A group which is made up of the Presiding Officer and the convener of each committee. The CG looks at the operation of committees.
A group made up of MSPs from across the parties and people from outside the Parliament who share an interest in a particular subject or issue.
Crown consent is a process which requires Scottish Government ministers to seek the consent of the Crown in relation to certain bills.
The place in the Scottish Parliament building where meetings of the parliament take place.
At the end of the day in the Parliament decisions are taken on most of the questions which have been looked at.
An interest which must be declared in relevant proceedings of the Parliament.
See subordinate legislation.
A member of a committee who can stand in for that committee’s Convener as required.
The Cabinet Minister who is deputy to the First Minister.
The Presiding Officer has two deputies, who can also chair the Parliament’s meetings. DPOs can take part in parliamentary business and can vote just like other MSPs when not chairing a meeting.
The process of decentralising the governance of Scotland, within the UK, from the central authorities (Westminster and Whitehall) to a Scottish Parliament and Government.
The remit of the Scottish Ministers, which, very broadly, is the same as the Parliament’s legislative competence.
The end of a parliamentary session.
MSPs who also hold a seat in either the House of Commons (MPs), House of Lords (Peers) or represent a ward in their local council (councillors).
MSPs can vote ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’ by pressing a button on the console on their desks in the Debating Chamber.
the European Union.
A document which is published with a Bill that explains what the Bill will do. It also has a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
If the Parliament does not agree to a Public Bill at Stage 1, then the Bill falls. If the Parliament does not agree to a Private Bill after the Preliminary Stage or thinks that the Bill shouldn’t go ahead as a Private Bill, then the Bill falls.
The stage for final consideration of a Private Bill and a decision on whether it should be passed.
A document which is published with a Public Bill which estimates how much the Bill will cost.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
A year starting from 1 April.
A period when MSPs ask questions of the First Minister at a meeting of the Parliament.
Voting system where the candidate who gets the largest number of votes is elected.
MSPs who are Ministers or the spokespersons of opposition parties.
An election in which a vote is held for all 129 seats in the Parliament.
The overall purpose of a Bill, rather than its details.
General Questions are when MSPs can ask the Scottish Government questions in the Chamber. General Questions can cover any area for which the Scottish Government is responsible.
The organisation that runs the country. The Scottish Parliament examines what the Scottish Government is doing.
An MSP can be asked by the Scottish Government to lodge a GIQ so that a Minister can answer and make the answer public.
A list which sets out how amendments to a Bill are to be grouped so that they can be debated.
The area of Edinburgh where the Scottish Parliament is located.
A Hybrid Bill is a type of Government Bill that is a mixture between a Public Bill and a Private Bill. Like other Government Bills, it is introduced by a minister in the Scottish Government and makes changes to the law that affect everyone in Scotland.
But, like a Private Bill, it also makes some changes to the law that apply only to particular people or organisations, or that apply only in particular places.
Any committee of the Parliament set up to look at a Hybrid Bill.
See statutory instrument or Scottish statutory instrument.
When a signed copy of a Bill is lodged with the clerks.
The record of what the Parliament has done.
Journal of the Scottish Parliament
The Parliament normally uses English, but MSPs, or any other person invited by the Parliament to address it, can speak in Scots Gaelic or any other language with the agreement of the Presiding Officer.
Read about languages in the Scottish Parliament
The parliamentary committee that leads on a particular Bill or item of subordinate legislation.
The leader of the largest party in the Scottish Parliament that doesn’t make up the Scottish Government.
Areas in which the Scottish Parliament is allowed to make laws.
When the UK Parliament looks at a Bill that affects Scotland, the Scottish Government prepares a “legislative consent memorandum”. The memorandum explains to the Parliament how the Bill affects Scotland. It also sets out the Scottish Government’s view on whether the Parliament should consent to this Bill.
If the Scottish Government wants the Parliament to consent to the Bill, it prepares a “legislative consent motion”. This is voted on in the Chamber, normally after the lead committee has reported on the Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM).
The senior Scottish Law Officer and a member of the Scottish Government.
A committee of the Scottish Parliament which needs to be set up under the rules.
An amendment to a Bill which is lodged after the normal time limit.
A list of all the amendments that have been proposed at Stage 2 or Stage 3 of a Bill. They are listed in the order in which they will be decided on.
A gathering of the whole Parliament in the Debating Chamber (or elsewhere).
The MSP who introduces a Public Bill.
Person elected to the Scottish Parliament to represent a constituency or region.
A Bill introduced by an MSP who is not a Scottish Government minister.
A debate proposed by a backbench MSP generally on an issue they’re interested in or relating to their local area.
MSPs can claim money back for "expenses" (costs).
Read more about the Members' expenses scheme
A statement made to the Parliament by a Minister to provide information or explain something.
The formal record of all items of parliamentary business.
A motion is a way MSPs can:
A motion that the Parliament no longer has confidence in the Scottish Government or an individual Minister.
A member of the House of Commons.
After they’re elected, all MSPs must take the oath of allegiance or make the solemn affirmation in front of the Clerk at a meeting of the Parliament.
An MSP can’t take part until they have taken the oath or made the solemn affirmation. An MSP that does not do this (normally within 2 months) stops being an MSP.
The Official Report is the written record of what is said in public meetings of the Scottish Parliament and its committees.
Read more about the Official Report
Parties and groups in the Parliament that are not in the government.
A parliamentary question that will be answered in the Chamber.
Learn about questions and answers
The group made up of the Presiding Officer and a representative from each party or grouping that has at least 5 members.
Any task that an MSP could do as a member of the Parliament.
Members of the Parliamentary Bureau representing parties with 5 or more members in the Parliament.
When a Bill is approved by the Parliament at the end of Stage 3 (or the end of Final Stage consideration).
Learn about how a Bill becomes an Act
A statement made by an MSP at a meeting of the Parliament, such as a public apology.
A meeting of the Parliament.
An intervention by an MSP during parliamentary business. This is to ask whether proper procedures have been followed.
A document which is published with a Government or Member's Bill which sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Each week MSPs ask questions to Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers on particular topics like education or justice. The topic changes each week.
Learn more about Portfolio Questions
The stage when a Private Bill’s general principles are considered.
The MSP elected by other MSPs to chair meetings of the Parliament, the Parliamentary Bureau and the SPCB. They also represent the Parliament.
A Private Bill changes the law for a particular organisation or person. It might make special rules that only apply to that organisation, or give it powers that other similar organisations don’t have.
Any committee of the Parliament that is set up to look at a Private Bill.
The person or organisation (not an MSP) who introduces a Private Bill.
Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP who is not a member of the government. It is a way for MSPs to get information from the Scottish Government.
Learn more about questions and answers
Following a challenge by Law Officers or the Secretary of State, the Parliament may decide to reconsider a Bill. The main purpose of a Reconsideration Stage is to allow the Bill to be amended to remove the basis on which it was blocked. Further "amendments" (changes) can be submitted, MSPs then debate and vote on whether to approve the Bill.
Learn more about what happens if a Bill does not become an Act
A list of details of MSPs’ interests. There are categories like remuneration, sponsorship, and gifts.
Read more about financial interests of MSPs
Matters on which the UK Parliament at Westminster can pass laws on. The Scottish Parliament can’t pass laws on reserved matters.
When an MSP gives up their seat in the Parliament by writing to the Presiding Officer.
A way of voting at a meeting of the Parliament or in a committee. Members names are called out alphabetically and the members are asked to say how they want to vote (‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Abstain’).
When a Bill is formally agreed by the King and becomes an Act.
Read more about how a Bill becomes an Act
Legislation from the UK Parliament, which gave Scotland devolved powers.
The group of senior Ministers in the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government is responsible for most of the day-to-day running of Scotland. Some areas that the government is responsible for are health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport.
Visit the Scottish Government website
The Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General for Scotland.
The SPCB makes sure the Parliament:
A pension scheme for MSPs, Ministers and other parliamentary office holders.
The group of staff who work for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB).
Find out more about the parliamentary staff offices
Secondary legislation which is made or approved by the Scottish Government.
Learn more about secondary legislation
A committee which looks at an item but is not the lead committee.
Legislation made by a Minister (or other person or body) under powers granted in an Act.
Learn more about secondary legislation
A group of MSPs, set up to nominate a person for appointment by the King.
A parliamentary session runs from the date of the first meeting of the Parliament after a general election until the Parliament is dissolved.
When the number of MSPs voting for something is more than the number voting against it.
A day when the Office of the Clerk is open and the Parliament is not in recess or dissolved.
The junior Scottish Law Officer.
Read more about the Solicitor General
SPCB Questions sessions take place in the Chamber to allow MSPs to ask the members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) about the issues for which it is responsible.
Read more about SPCB Questions
There are various formal stages that Bills need to progress through before they can become a law.
Learn about how a Bill becomes a law
The main form for legislation made by Ministers and others.
A committee which has been set up by the Parliament to deal with a particular subject.
Find out more about committees
see secondary legislation.
Someone invited by the Parliament speaks to the Chamber for up to 4 minutes.
MSPs can ask Topical Questions in response to events and changes in circumstances. The Presiding Officer picks which questions they think should be asked.
Read more about Topical Questions
The state which is made up of Great Britain (Scotland, England and Wales) and Northern Ireland.
If an important matter arises, which an MSP thinks requires an immediate response, they can request that a question is answered on the same day. The Presiding Officer will decide if the question will be answered.
Read more about Urgent Questions
A vote is one way MSPs in parliament make decisions. In the Chamber, a vote is called by the Presiding Officer. In a committee, this is done by the committee Convener. To vote, the Presiding Officer or Convener will ask MSPs a question. They can answer “yes”, “no” or “abstain”. Abstain means they are not voting yes or no.
A person invited or required to attend a committee meeting to give evidence.
MSPs can submit Written Questions to the Scottish Government, which will be answered by government ministers or the Law Officers. Written Questions can be used by MSPs to get detailed information about the activities of government departments.
Read more about Written Questions