How are Britains regions governed?
The people of Scotland and Wales now have greater control over their own affairs thanks to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and a Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. The Scottish Parliament has 129 members – 73 directly elected on a constituency basis and 56 elected by proportional representation. The parliament runs for a four-year fixed term and is responsible for functions which were the responsibility of Scottish Office Ministers. It is able to make laws on a whole range of matters, including health and education, and to raise or lower the rate of income tax by three pence in the pound. Scotland continues to elect MPs to Westminster. The Welsh Assembly has 60 members, directly elected every four years. It is responsible for functions previously carried out by the Welsh Office. It is able to amend laws passed at Westminster which affect devolved areas. One of the new institutions created following the Belfast Agreement of April 1998 was an Assembly of 108 members with
