§ *MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can say, from Income-Tax Returns or otherwise, what payment, if any, is received by Judges of the Court of Session and by Sheriffs in Scotland for acting as extraordinary directors of the Scottish banks; and, if no payment is so received, will he say why His Majesty's Judges should occupy such positions in trading concern which often litigate under their jurisdiction.
§ ME. HOBHOUSEI beg to refer my hon. friend to the Answer given by my right hon. friend the Prime Minister to a similar Question put down by him on the 6th instant. I have nothing to add to that reply, except that the Income-Tax Acts expressly prohibit information being divulged with regard to any particular assessment.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDid the Prime Minister say anything as to the pay received by Scottish Judges as directors of these companies?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI think he pointed out that they received no salary or payment of any kind.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAre Scottish Judges precluded from taking part in any case in references to banks of which they act as directors?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEasked for notice of that Question.
§ *MR. WATTCan the hon. Gentleman see his way to so increase the salary of Scottish Judges as to make it unnecessary for them to go into the paths of trade to earn a living wage.
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that Question.