What's the difference between the Scottish Parliament and London's Parliament?

Question

For instance, what can the Scottish Parliament do and what can't they do? What rule does London's Parliament have over Scotland now? And how do I refer to the Parliament in London--London's Parliament? the UK's Parliament?

Answer 1

The United Kingdom consists of four countries - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Southern Ireland (Ireland or Eire) is a separate country in it's own right.

The United Kingdom as a whole is governed by Parliament, this is the one in London and is often referred to as Westminster after the area of London it's located in.

The countries of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have a second tier of government but with limited powers. In Wales and Northern Ireland this second tier is the Assembly (Welsh Assembly or Northern Ireland Assembly). In Scotland it is the Scottish Parliament. Note that there is no second tier in England, just the one national government.

WHAT CAN THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT DO?
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Economic development
Education
Environment
Food standards
Health
Home Affairs
Law - Courts, Police, Fire Services
Local government
Sport and the Arts
Transport
Training
Tourism
Research and statistics
Social work

WHAT CAN'T THEY DO?
Abortion
Broadcasting policy
Civil service
Common markets for UK goods and services
Constitution
Electricity, coal, oil, gas, nuclear energy
Defence and national security
Drug policy
Employment
Foreign policy and relations with Europe
Most aspects of transport safety and regulation
National lottery
Protection of borders
Social security
Stability of UK's fiscal, economic and monetary system

WHAT RULE DOES LONDON HAVE?
As above but in theory the UK Parliament could override the Scottish Parliamant.

HOW TO REFER TO THE PARLIAMENT OF LONDON
Simply as Parliament or Westminster, unless you specify 'Scottish Parliament' it will be assumed you're referring to the main UK parliament in London

FURTHER INFO
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/publicInfo/hspw/index.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/events/scotland_99/the_scottish_parliament/310036.stm