Understanding the Scottish Parliament and Government (in Edinburgh)

Please call us on 0800 542 9440 for further info regarding directions. This section will be updated shortly.

09:15 - 09:45
Coffee and Registration

09:45 - 10:00
Chair's Welcome and Introduction
Prof James Mitchell - Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde - CONFIRMED

10:00 - 11:00
An Overview of the Scottish Parliament - Its Roles, Functions and Procedures
Prof James Mitchell - Professor of Politics, University of Strathclyde - CONFIRMED

• The Structure of the Scottish Parliament
• The Functions of the Parliament
• The committee system of the Scottish Parliament

11:00 - 11:45
The Passage of a Bill through Parliament

• The progress of a bill through the Scottish Parliament
• Readings and debates
• Committee influence
• Problems of legislation with a small majority

11:45 - 12:00
Coffee Break

12:00 - 13:00
Parliamentary Questions - Including Questions to the First Minister

• How PQ's works
• First Minister's Question Time
• Responding to a Member after Question Time (written responses)
• The role of the Presiding Office

13:00 - 14:00
Lunch

14:00 - 14:45
An overview of the Scottish Government

• From the Scotland Act of 1998 to the rebranding of the Scottish Executive by the SNP in 2007
• Introduction to Government portfolios
• Introduction to the Strategic Board and the key policy objectives
• The legal framework of the Scottish Government
• Government Units and Agencies

14:45 - 15:00 
Coffee Break

15:00 - 16:00
The Role of a Ex-Minister in a Government Department
Peter Peacock MSP - CONFIRMED

• The role of a Minister
• Private Office staff
• Special Advisors

16:00 - 16:15 
Chair's Closing Remarks and End

Please note that discounts are available for early registration and multiple bookings, for more information please call 0800 542 9440.

If you do not wish to book online, please fax back the form below to this number 020 7484 4950.