APPENDIX B
UNDERPINNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE SCOTLAND
OFFICE
OBJECTIVE 1
— To help achieve improving relationships
between Whitehall and the Scottish Executive particularly through
better understanding and assessment of distinct policy approaches.
— To safeguard and promote the constitutional
settlement, including the smooth operation and appropriate use
of the order making powers under the Scotland Act, the effective
management of the Sewel Convention, monitoring the UK and Scottish
legislative programmes for devolution issues and advising on the
Government's obligations under the administrative arrangements
supporting the Scottish settlement.
OBJECTIVE 2
— Continue to provide secretariat support
to the Commission on Boundary Differences and Voting Systems to
enable it fully to examine the consequences of having four different
systems of voting in Scotland, and different boundaries for Westminster
and Scottish Parliament constituencies.
— Advise on the findings and recommendations
of the Arbuthnott Commission, once it has submitted its report
to the Secretary of State by the end of December 2005.
— Take forward planning for the transfer
from 1 April 2006 of Parliamentary boundary review functions from
the Boundary Commission for Scotland to the Electoral Commission.
— Prepare as necessary any secondary
legislation required and ensure funding arrangements are in place
for the conduct of Parliamentary elections in Scotland.
— Continue to meet the statutory requirements
for payments of Grants to the Scottish Consolidated Fund.
OBJECTIVE 3
— To maintain contacts with Scottish
economic and business sectors in order to:
(a) ensure that the levers available
at UK level are being brought to bear on the Scottish economy;
and
(b) provide industry with a gateway to
the UK Government while demonstrating the value of partnership
with the Scottish Executive; and
— To support Scotland Office Ministers
by providing relevant and high quality briefing and analysis of
the performance of the Scottish economy.
— To maintain oversight and provide
briefing in respect of policy developments and issues in reserved
policy areas (especially where there are links with devolved matters)
including social policy, employment policy, home affairs, communications,
energy, transport, and economic issues; and to strengthen Whitehall
understanding of the Scottish dimensions of these reserved areas.
— To maintain oversight and provide
briefing and advice where relevant in respect of certain areas
of devolved policy where there is a significant UK interest such
as fisheries or civil contingencies and higher education.
OTHER
— To continue to improve the efficiency
of the Scotland Office through:
(a) Maintaining the level of service
required by Ministers while taking forward the review of efficiency
agreed by OMG; and
(b) Recovering our record of meeting
response targets for Ministerial and other correspondence to achieve
a level of at least 85% in 2005-06.
— To support Ministers in representational
activity on behalf of Scotland in particular through the effective
management of Dover House and the delivery of a well-balanced
hospitality programme at Dover House and Melville Crescent.
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