Chamber and committees

The Executive has separate responsesto four recommendations of the Arbuthnott Report, which are set out as follows:

The majority of the other recommendationsof the Arbuthnott Report relate to reserved matters, and the Scotland Office istoday responding to these separately on behalf of the UK Government. Other recommendationsin the report fall to be considered by the Electoral Commission and the Scottish Parliament.

Recommendation 2. The boundariesfor Scottish Parliamentary constituencies should be within and respect local authorityareas rather than Westminster constituencies.

Recommendation 4. The functionsof the Boundary Commission for Scotland and the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland shouldbe combined to enable the constituencies and regions for the Scottish Parliamentand local authorities to be reviewed together. Consideration should also be givento integrating the review of Westminster constituencies in Scotland into this process.

The approach advocated in thereport is consistent with the aims of the Scottish Executive’s public service reformagenda and there could be benefits from aligning boundaries as proposed. The ScottishExecutive is currently looking at the long-term options for reform across a rangeof public bodies in Scotland, including local authorities. Any action which mightneed to be taken by the UK Government, including consideration of possible new structuresfor the regions for Scottish Parliament elections or any future review of constituencyboundaries, would only be after the question of any need for changes had been consideredby the new Scottish administration.

Recommendation 12. The Scottish Parliament and local government elections should not be held on the same day.

The Executive has noted the ArbuthnottCommission’s conclusion and recommendation, but remains of the view that it is inthe best interests of the voters and turnout that these elections should continueto be combined.

Recommendation 21. No pupil shouldleave school without having had an introduction to the voting systems and the workof the parliaments, in the context of Education for Citizenship.

The Scottish Executive has endorsedthe recommendation that young people leaving school should have a good understandingof voting and parliamentary democracy. The current review of the curriculum in Scotland, ACurriculum for Excellence, aims to prioritise and simplify existing curricularguidance.

The aspiration is that all youngpeople should be given the opportunity to develop as responsible citizens with acapacity to participate fully in political, economic, social and cultural life.It is envisaged that there will be a range of areas through which an understandingof voting and parliamentary democracy could be developed.