These explanatory notes relate to the Scotland Act 1998.  They have been prepared by the Scotland Office in order to assist the reader of the Act.  They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by Parliament.  They also include references to secondary legislation made under the Act and to other relevant delegated legislation made before September 2001.  It does not include changes to the Act made since it came into force.
These notes need to be read in conjunction with the Act.  They are not, and are not meant to be, a comprehensive description of the Act.  So, where a section or part of a section does not seem to require any explanation or comment, none is given.
The Act refers to matters within the responsibilities of the Scottish ministers and the Secretary of State for Scotland.  References to the Secretary of State in the Act mean any Secretary of State.  In practice, some of the functions conferred upon the Secretary of State will be exercised by the Secretary of State for Scotland.
Introduction