§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he can enlarge the Bill which he has brought in relating to the office of Sheriff of Lanarkshire, so as to make it deal generally with the conditions of eligibility to judicial office in Scotland; or whether, if this is impracticable at this period of the Session, he will undertake to prepare during the Recess, and bring in next Session, a measure embracing those conditions as a whole, and in particular facilitating the promotion to the Bench of persons filling the office of Sheriff-Substitute who have approved their fitness for the highest judicial office?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)I do not think it 1715 would be advisable, in present circumstances, to enlarge the scope of the Bill; but I am quite of opinion that the conditions of eligibility to judicial office might with advantage be revised, and shall give the matter my consideration during the Recess. The last part of my hon. Friend's Question I shall carefully consider; but I may say at present there are several gentlemen who have been Sheriff-Substitutes, and who have returned to practice at the Bar, and are under the existing arrangements eligible for the highest judicial posts.