HC Deb 28 March 1901 vol 92 cc76-7
MR. BLACK (Banffshire)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether, in resolving to retain the words "the Seventh" as an addition to His Most Gracious Majesty's name in writs proceeding from the Crown in Scotland, he has consulted the precedents of the two Sovereigns bearing the name of James who have reigned since the Union of the Crowns, and the cases of William and Mary and William after Mary's death; and if he will inform the House of the practice in Scotland in these cases.

* MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

It is the fact that in the cases referred to by the hon. Member the writs passing the Signet in Scotland ran in the name of James, William and Mary, and William. But the present practice follows the more exact precedent under William the Fourth, after the Union of the kingdoms, in whose reign the writs in Scotland ran in the name of William the Fourth; and for this and other reasons it is intended to adhere to it.

MR. BLACK

Did not the Union take place in the reign of James?

* MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAY

The Union of the Crown then took place.

MR. BLACK

And is it not because of the Treaty of Union that Scotland is still treated as a separate kingdom?

[No answer was returned.]