Office of the Queen's Printer for Scotland
Last Updated: 30/05/2008
1.1 The Scottish Executive and other Crown bodies prepare, make and enact Scottish legislation, however responsibility for publication rests with the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.
1.2 It is helpful for the public to understand the legal framework within which the Scottish Executive and other public authorities operate. Collating a list in a single place and giving a brief description of the relationship between the legislation and the authority’s structure and functions should be considered. Details of legislation or codes of practice that give rights of access to information should also be provided.
1.3 The Office of the Queen’s Printer for Scotland (OQPS) has responsibility for the publication of Acts of the Scottish Parliament, Explanatory Notes to Acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Statutory Instruments. These categories of publication are featured in the OQPS’s Publication Scheme with details of where users can view or purchase the material. It follows that organisations do not need to provide full details of legislation for which they have policy responsibility in their own Publication Schemes. Good practice is to feature a reference in their Publication Scheme to the OQPS website where all newly enacted Scottish legislation can be viewed.
1.4 The Scottish Parliament is responsible for the publication of Bills before Parliament and Explanatory Notes to Bills. This material can be viewed on the Parliament’s web site. Authorities do not need to feature details in their own Publication Schemes although link to the Scottish Parliament website should be included.
1.5 OQPS also arranges for the publication of the Edinburgh Gazette and details will be featured in the OQPS’s Publication Scheme. Organisations should refer, in their Publication Schemes, to the categories of individual notices that are submitted for publication in the Gazette.
1.6 Texts of international treaties, conventions and agreements should be accessible if not provided elsewhere. Public authorities may wish to provide cross-references to relevant documents of European Community legislation. Details of websites where the material can be viewed or from where the information can be obtained should be considered as part of the Publication Scheme.