Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department has used artificial intelligence to assist with drafting (a) legislation and (b) policy in the last 12 months.

(a) The drafting of legislation is the responsibility of a large number of officials across government departments.

A range of tools can be used to assist with this drafting, including AI which is most commonly used to check, critique, and otherwise interrogate drafts. Work is continuously underway to identify ways of improving the efficiency of this work, including collaboration between departments to share ideas and emerging practices.

While AI can be used to assist with the drafting of legislation, the production of the draft remains the responsibility of human drafters to meet the high standards expected of Government legislation. The Scotland Office has not led primary legislation in the last 12 months.

It is Parliament’s responsibility to scrutinise legislation as it sees necessary.

(b) The drafting of policy documents and advice is the responsibility of a large number of officials across government departments. Scotland Office officials work closely with departments in policy development, and in producing advice to Ministers.

While AI can be used to assist with the drafting of policy advice, the production of the draft remains the responsibility of a lead human policy advisor to ensure the advice is factual and meets the high standards expected of Government Ministers.