I should like to record my thanks to the many people who have helped me during the writing of this book. In particular, to my wife, who undertook the laborious task of compiling a card-index of Scottish Office administrators.

Interviews granted to me by politicians and civil servants were, of course, invaluable, as was advice from colleagues, particularly Professors W. J. M. Mackenzie and A. M. Potter. I must also thank Charlotte Logan for coping so well with the typing and editing.

J.G.K.

Glasgow

September 1972

For the third edition, the text has been completely revised and a new chapter added on devolution. Since the first edition appeared, a great deal has happened in Scottish politics, and the study of the subject has expanded to include a large number of publications. This edition attempts to bring these developments together in an academic analysis covering the whole range of Scottish politics and government during a period of great importance in the evolution of the Scottish political system.

I should like to acknowledge help received from Richard Parry, Christopher Hood, Michael Ewart, and Fred Craig in preparing this edition. The considerable task of preparing the manuscript for this edition was undertaken mainly by Barbara Fisher, with the assistance of Avril Johnston and Elspeth Shaw, to whom I express my thanks.