30 Jun 1999
Scottish Secretary John Reid was today host at a Gala Dinner to celebrate the formal opening of the Scottish Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen.
Speaking at the dinner Mr Reid said:
"Tomorrow is a historic day for Scotland. For the first time in three centuries a Scottish Parliament will have the power to enact laws on a range of important matters affecting the people of Scotland. I'm honoured to be Secretary of State for Scotland at such a momentous moment in our political history. And I'm equally proud to be a member of the Government that not only promised Scotland a new Parliament - but delivered on it.
"Devolution marks the beginning of a new partnership between the United Kingdom parliament and the Scottish Parliament, the UK Government and the Scottish Government. This partnership will be vital to ensure devolution meets the needs, the aspirations and the expressed will of the Scottish people.
"It is only right that members of both those Parliaments should be here tonight to mark that new accord. We have a common aim to secure an improvement in the lives of the people of Scotland. And as MPs and MSPs, our roles are complementary. While one is concerned with devolved matters, the other with those which are reserved. Only by working together can we build a prosperous and successful Scotland.
"So as one relationship comes to an end, another begins. One which can only be good for Scotland. One which enables Scotland to play a leading role in Britain and through its partnership in the United Kingdom - a leading role in European and world affairs.
"July 1st marks a new beginning for Scotland. An opportunity to bring government closer to the people of Scotland. But devolution of power to Scotland is not the end. It is merely the end of the beginning - the beginning of that process of bringing government closer to the people.
"Devolution is about sharing power. It is about tolerance for the views of others. That means working in partnership to achieve the greatest benefits for Scotland as whole. The role of the Secretary of State for Scotland and that of the First Minister in the Scottish Government are complementary. I look forward to working closely with Donald Dewar in the months and years ahead to ensure that the needs of Scotland's people are met.
"I hope all of us here tonight will be prepared to work in that same spirit of partnership in order to ensure that devolution brings the benefits the people of Scotland want and which I am sure devolution can deliver."
BACKGROUND
The Parliament Gala Dinner was held at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. Sponsors of the event included, amongst others, BT Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Scottish Power. The Dinner was prepared by the Scottish Chefs Association.