§ MR. LYON PLAYFAIRasked the Lord Advocate, Whether the Government intend to bring in a Bill, indicated in his answer to a question on the 16th of July last, to give effect to many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Courts of Law in Scotland, including an increase in the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Courts?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATESir, I do not think my right hon. Friend quite accurately describes the Answer which I gave to him on the 16th of July last. On referring to the usual source of information, I see I stated that—
It is intended to give effect to many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission next Session, and the matter of the increase in the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Courts will be submitted for consideration."—[3 Hansard, ccxxi. 121.]I did not then indicate, as I had no authority to do so, that the Government would during this Session bring in a Bill providing for an increase in the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Courts in Scotland. At the same time, it is proper I should say that I have submitted for the consideration of the Government many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission, including those relating to the increase of the salaries of the Judges of the Supreme Courts; but I have not yet received authority to propose to Parliament any legislation, except upon the matters dealt with in the two Bills relating to the Sheriff and other inferior Courts in Scotland which were read a first time on Friday last.