§ Mr. David Steelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times during the current year have sheriff court proofs been discharged without notice due to there being no shorthand writer available to service the court; and whether litigants' costs from any such failure on the part of the court's administration will be met by the Secretary of State.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe provision of shorthand writers in civil actions in the sheriff court is the responsibility of the pursuer or his solicitor.