Skip to the main content
BritWise — Life in the UK Test Practice
Start free test
Chapter 5 · The UK government, the law and your role

Life in the UK test questions on the devolved administrations

Since 1999 powers have been devolved from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Welsh Parliament in Cardiff and the Northern Ireland Assembly in Belfast. They can make policy in areas such as health, education and housing, while defence and foreign affairs stay with the UK government. All three are elected using forms of proportional representation.

Below are 7 free questions on the devolved administrations, taken from handbook section 5.9. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

Practise the devolved administrations

Questions
7
Time limit
No limit
Pass mark
6 of 7 (75%)
How do you want to practise?

Questions and answers on the devolved administrations

The same 7 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. What is devolution?

    • The transfer of certain powers from central government to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — correct answer
    • The transfer of all law-making power to local councils
    • The handing of government powers to the monarch
    • The removal of the House of Lords

    Devolution means giving nations within the UK the power to decide some matters for themselves, while the UK Parliament keeps others. Handbook section 5.9.

  2. 2. What is a member of the Scottish Parliament called?

    • A Member of the Scottish Parliament, or MSP — correct answer
    • A Member of Parliament, or MP
    • A Member of the Legislative Assembly, or MLA
    • A councillor

    Members of the Scottish Parliament use the initials MSP. MPs sit at Westminster and MLAs sit in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Handbook section 5.9.

  3. 3. Which of these remains under the control of the UK government in London?

    • Defence and foreign affairs — correct answer
    • Schools in Scotland
    • Hospitals in Wales
    • Welsh road signs

    Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, taxation and social security are reserved matters, decided for the whole UK by the government in London. Handbook section 5.9.

  4. 4. Which languages may be used in debates in the Welsh Parliament?

    • Welsh and English — correct answer
    • English only
    • Welsh only
    • Any language a member chooses

    Members may speak in Welsh or in English, and official publications are produced in both languages. Handbook section 5.9.

  5. 5. What is the Northern Ireland Executive?

    • The devolved government of Northern Ireland, formed by ministers drawn from the Assembly — correct answer
    • A committee of the UK cabinet
    • The senior judges of the Northern Ireland courts
    • The board that runs the Police Service of Northern Ireland

    The Executive is Northern Ireland's government. Its ministers come from the Assembly and take charge of the matters that have been devolved. Handbook section 5.9.

  6. 6. How many Members of the Scottish Parliament are there?

    • 129 — correct answer
    • 60
    • 650
    • 90

    There are 129 MSPs, elected by a form of proportional representation so that seats broadly reflect the votes cast. Handbook section 5.9.

  7. 7. What power does the UK government hold over the devolved assemblies?

    • It can suspend them, as it has done in Northern Ireland — correct answer
    • It can choose their members
    • It can overturn any of their court judgments
    • It can extend their terms indefinitely

    The UK government has the power to suspend a devolved assembly. It has used this in Northern Ireland at times when the power-sharing institutions could not function. Handbook section 5.9.

13 more questions on the devolved administrations

You have just read all 7 free questions we publish on the devolved administrations, answers and explanations included. Full access adds 13 more on this topic alone, plus the rest of the bank and practice that comes back to whatever you keep getting wrong.

One payment of £11.99, yours for good. No subscription, and the free questions above stay free.

See what full access includes — £11.99 once