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The article discusses the Scottish Office as an example of devolved administration and looks at the role of the Secretary of State. The Scottish and Welsh Offices are exceptional among the British government departments in that their responsibilities do not concern the exercise of one function or group of related functions throughout Great Britain, but the exercise of several groups of functions in a part of Great Britain. In Scotland and Wales, the Offices are seen also as a means of exerting political pressure on the center, to put them at an advantage compared with the regions of England in securing their share of national economic resources. The permanent heads of departments report directly to the Secretary of State and not to the permanent head of the Scottish Office. The future of the Scottish Office is discussed.

In the United Kingdom Parliament, Scottish MPs operate at two levels, the ''Scottish level " and the "U. K. level" Their behaviour at the Scottish level is examined through case studies which show them making demands for distinctive Scottish policies. This is evidence against the homogeneity thesis of British politics. Their behaviour at the U. K. level is examined through quantitative measures of committee activity, promotion, sponsorship of legislation, and media coverage. At this level, most Scottish MPs concentrate on securing benefits for Scotland and are not fully integrated into the U. K. political system. A minority of Scottish MPs are "U. K. oriented" and their behaviour points up the Scottish orientation of most of their colleagues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]