Scottish Parliament: History, Structure, and Functions

Question 1

What is the name of the debating chamber in the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

The Holyrood Chamber

Answer

The House of Commons

Answer

The House of Lords

Answer

The Great Hall

Question 2

What is the relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

The Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament share powers.

Answer

The Scottish Parliament is completely independent of the UK Parliament.

Answer

The Scottish Parliament is subordinate to the UK Parliament.

Answer

The Scottish Parliament has no relationship with the UK Parliament.

Question 3

What is the name of the Scottish Parliament's main building?

Accepted Answer

The Scottish Parliament Building

Answer

The Palace of Westminster

Answer

Holyrood Palace

Answer

The Edinburgh Castle

Question 4

When was the Scottish Parliament first established in its current form?

Accepted Answer

1999

Answer

1603

Answer

1707

Answer

2014

Question 5

What is the official title of the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Speaker

Answer

President

Answer

Chancellor

Answer

First Minister

Question 6

How does the Scottish Parliament interact with the UK Parliament?

Accepted Answer

It has limited powers to scrutinize UK legislation that affects Scotland

Answer

It has no formal interaction

Answer

It can veto UK legislation that affects Scotland

Answer

It is fully integrated into the UK Parliament

Question 7

Who is the current First Minister of Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Nicola Sturgeon

Answer

Alex Salmond

Answer

Angus Robertson

Answer

Kezia Dugdale

Question 8

When was the Scottish Parliament re-established?

Accepted Answer

1999

Answer

1997

Answer

2001

Answer

2003

Question 9

What is the name of the electoral system used in Scottish Parliament elections?

Accepted Answer

Mixed-member proportional representation

Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Single transferable vote

Question 10

What is the role of the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

To chair parliamentary debates and ensure fair play

Answer

To represent the Scottish Parliament internationally

Answer

To investigate complaints against MSPs

Answer

To appoint members of parliamentary committees

Question 11

Which party has won the most seats in the Scottish Parliament since its establishment?

Accepted Answer

Scottish National Party

Answer

Labour Party

Answer

Conservative Party

Answer

Liberal Democrat Party

Question 12

What is the name of the devolved government of Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Scottish Government

Answer

Scottish Executive

Answer

Scottish Assembly

Answer

Scottish Council

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a reserved matter for the UK Government?

Accepted Answer

Education

Answer

Defense

Answer

Foreign policy

Answer

Social security

Question 14

When was the Scottish Parliament re-established?

Accepted Answer

1999

Answer

1997

Answer

2001

Answer

2003

Question 15

Which body has the primary responsibility for creating laws within Scotland's devolved matters?

Accepted Answer

The Scottish Parliament

Answer

Westminster Parliament

Answer

The Scottish Government

Answer

The Scottish Courts

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a specific function assigned to the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Declaring war

Answer

Setting income tax rates

Answer

Regulating education and healthcare

Answer

Managing the Scottish budget

Question 17

What is the significance of the Sewel Convention?

Accepted Answer

It establishes the relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the UK Parliament, including the principles of mutual respect and cooperation

Answer

It defines the specific powers of the Scottish Government

Answer

It governs the appointment of MSPs

Answer

It establishes the electoral system for the Scottish Parliament

Question 18

Trace the evolution of the Scottish Parliament's powers and functions since its establishment, highlighting significant milestones.

Accepted Answer

Expanded gradually through devolution, marked by milestones like the Scotland Acts of 2012 and 2016.

Answer

Diminished over time due to the UK government's centralization efforts.

Answer

Stayed mostly unchanged since its inception.

Question 19

Which event directly led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in its current form?

Accepted Answer

The 1997 devolution referendum, which resulted in a majority vote for establishing a devolved Scottish Parliament.

Answer

The Act of Union in 1707, which dissolved the Scottish Parliament and established a unified Parliament for England and Scotland.

Answer

The accession of James VI to the English throne in 1603, which created a personal union between Scotland and England, but didn't immediately affect the Scottish Parliament.

Answer

The Scottish Reformation in 1560, which led to major religious and social changes in Scotland but not the establishment of a new Parliament.

Question 20

How are Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) elected?

Accepted Answer

Through a mixed system that combines proportional representation (using the Additional Member System) and first-past-the-post voting.

Answer

By appointment from the UK Parliament, which is not the case as MSPs are directly elected by the Scottish people.

Answer

Solely through a first-past-the-post system, which is incorrect as the Scottish Parliament uses a mixed electoral system.

Question 21

Which of these powers is NOT devolved to the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

Foreign policy, which remains a reserved power for the UK Parliament.

Answer

Justice, which includes aspects like law enforcement and the judiciary, is a devolved power.

Answer

Health, encompassing healthcare services and policies, falls under the Scottish Parliament's jurisdiction.

Answer

Education, including primary and secondary education, is a devolved power in Scotland.

Question 22

Which committee in the Scottish Parliament is responsible for scrutinizing the Scottish Government's budget?

Accepted Answer

The Finance Committee, which analyzes and reviews the budget proposals put forward by the Scottish Government.

Answer

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee focuses on its specified areas and doesn't handle budget scrutiny.

Answer

The Public Petitions Committee handles petitions from the public but isn't directly involved in budget scrutiny.

Answer

The Equal Opportunities Committee focuses on equality and rights issues and doesn't have a direct role in budget scrutiny.

Question 23

How does the Scottish Parliament hold the Scottish Government accountable?

Accepted Answer

Through a variety of mechanisms, including questioning Ministers during First Minister's Questions, debating legislation, and scrutinizing government activities through committee investigations.

Answer

By directly appointing and dismissing government ministers, which is not within the Scottish Parliament's powers.

Answer

Through the power to veto decisions made by the UK Parliament, which is not a power held by the Scottish Parliament.

Question 24

The Sewel Convention refers to the understanding that the UK Parliament will not legislate on devolved matters without...

Accepted Answer

The consent of the Scottish Parliament, as this convention ensures respect for the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament.

Answer

A majority vote in the House of Lords, which is not relevant to the Sewel Convention's principle.

Answer

The approval of the Scottish First Minister, while the First Minister's input is important, it's the Scottish Parliament as a whole that gives consent.

Answer

A referendum of the Scottish people, which is not a standard requirement under the Sewel Convention.

Question 25

What was a significant impact of the Scotland Act 2016 on the powers of the Scottish Parliament?

Accepted Answer

It granted the Scottish Parliament further powers over taxation, including the ability to set income tax rates and bands, and welfare, giving them more control over benefits like disability living allowance.

Answer

It abolished the Scottish Parliament and transferred all powers back to Westminster, which is incorrect and contradicts the purpose of the Act.

Answer

It allowed the Scottish Parliament to hold a second independence referendum, which is not a direct outcome of the Act, though it did raise questions about the scope of devolution.

Question 26

How does the Scottish Parliament encourage public engagement in its work?

Accepted Answer

Through various methods like holding public consultations to gather feedback on proposed legislation, organizing committee hearings where members of the public can present evidence, and accepting petitions on issues of public concern.

Answer

By requiring citizens to attend parliamentary debates, which is neither realistic nor a common practice for public engagement.

Answer

Through direct democracy, with all legislation being decided by referendums, which is not the current system in Scotland.

Question 27

Who is the architect behind the design of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Enric Miralles, a renowned Spanish architect who won an international competition for the design.

Answer

Norman Foster, known for his modern architecture, but not the architect of the Scottish Parliament building.

Answer

Zaha Hadid, another well-known architect, but not the designer of the Scottish Parliament building.