John Lyden Scott was born in Hamilton, Scotland and educated in Scotland.  He completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic and then served in the Royal Air Force as an aircraft fitter from 1955 to 1958, when he migrated to Australia.
 
After arriving in Australia Scott worked as a motor/truck mechanic.  He became active in the union and was a workplace representative of the Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights Union (AMWSU).  Scott was a member of the South Australian Workers' Education Council from 1971 to 1973; a member of the South Australian Industrial Democracy Tripartite Committee from 1975 to 1978; and a member of the ACTU Industrial Democracy Committee from 1977 to 1980.  Prior to his election to the Parliament, Scott was the South Australian Secretary of the AMWSU. 

He was elected to the House of Representatives, ALP member for Hindmarsh, South Australia in 1980, 1983, 1984, 1987 and 1990.  As a Member of the House of Representatives he has sat on a number of committees.
 
Scott has been a strong advocate of consumer rights and was the national patron for the campaign against food irradiation.

John Scott retired prior to the general elections in 1993.
 
Sources

1. Parliamentary handbook, 1988, p 194
2. Biographical information supplied by Mr John Scott's office

Agency associated with person unregistered

Oct 1983: Biennial Parliamentary Exchange Visit, Japan - Leader 
Oct 1985: 31st CPA Conference, Saskatchewan, Canada - Member
Sep 1987 - Feb 1993: 
          House of Representatives Standing Committee on Members'    
          Interests