§ 50. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to proceed with the further stages of the Sheriff Courts and Legal Officers (Scotland) Bill?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Elliot)As matters stand, my right hon. Friend fears that no further progress can be made with the Bill until the Autumn. He hopes that it may be possible to pass the Bill in the limited time then available, and that hon. Members in all parts of the House will be prepared to facilitate its progress.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that the Bill will go through without any opposition if the Government will take into consideration the harsh treatment being meted out to a few old servants?
§ Major ELLIOTMy right hon. Friend is well aware of these allegations of harshness, but they did not convince the Treasury officials during the tenure of power of the hon. Member's own party.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONApart from that party debating point, is the hon. and gallant Member not aware that these grievances have been specifically brought to the notice of his Department, and cannot he take steps to get them remedied?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs he not aware that the fees charged in the Sheriff and the Small Debts Court were materially added to, and that it will make it more difficult for poor people in Scotland to get access to the Courts, and that the fees were raised for the purpose of paying proper salaries to the officials, and they have not been used for that purpose?
§ Major ELLIOTThese are matters for debate, and it will be improper for me now to go into them. If hon. Members oppose the passage of the Bill, it will not pass, and these gentlemen will not get any redress.
§ Mr. HARDIEMay the House know what has been done with the funds which 32 have been collected in adding to the fees? If they have not been given to the officials, who has got them; have they been handed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members must not argue the matter.