Explanatory note

This Order modifies Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46). That Schedule defines what are reserved matters for the purposes of that Act. Accordingly it is concerned with matters which are outwith the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament.

Article 2 provides for the interpretation of Section B3 (elections).

Article 3 modifies Section C12 (Research Councils) by defining as reserved matters for the purposes of the Scotland Act 1998 the Arts and Humanities Research Council (provision for the establishment of which is made by Part 1 of the Higher Education Act 2004) and in so far as relating to that Council the subject-matter of section 10 of that Act of 2004 (provision for research in arts and humanities). It also provides for the interpretation of Section C12 as so modified.

Article 4 modifies the third exception to the reservation at Section E2 (rail transport) so as to include the Scottish Ministers among the authorities to which the Scottish Parliament may by legislation transfer and allocate certain rail transport functions.