HC Deb 03 December 1912 vol 44 cc2088-9
70. Mr. WATT

asked how many sheriffs-principal in Scotland are, after their appointments, permitted by such to practise at the Scottish Bar; and how many are precluded from so doing?

Mr. URE

The commissions of the sheriffs are silent on the topic refererd to in my hon. Friend's question.

71. Mr. WATT

asked how many sheriffs-principal have been appointed under the Act of 1907 which makes solicitors who have been sheriffs-substitute for five years eligible for such positions; and, if none have been so appointed, will he say when he proposes to try the experiment?

Mr. URE

All the sheriffs who have been appointed since 1907 have been appointed under the Act of 1907. None have been solicitors who have been sheriffs-substitute of five years' standing. Obviously I cannot answer the last part of my hon. Friend's question.

73. Mr. WATT

asked the Lord Advocate whether the sixteen sheriffs-principal in Scotland are, after their appointment, permitted by their patents to practise at the Scottish Bar, at the Parliamentary Bar, at the Bar of the House of Lords, and before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; and whether he proposes in the future to give some of these appointments to whole-time servants of the State?

Mr. URE

The Commissions of the Sheriffs are silent on the matters referred to in my hon. Friend's question. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. WATT

Do those gentlemen practice at all those Bars at all?

Mr. URE

Yes.

Sir G. YOUNGER

May I ask in point of fact whether, if the right hon. Gentleman gave effect to this suggestion, he would have to go to the Treasury for a very large increase in the salaries?

Mr. URE

Necessarily so.