§ 69. Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLasked the Secretary for Scotland what action has been taken as to the recommendation of the Geddes Committee that an independent committee should be set up to consider the possibility of reforms, with a view to economy, in Scottish judicial arrangements?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)The suggestions on which the recommendation of the Geddes Committee was based were the subject of an exhaustive inquiry by a Royal Commission in 1870, which reported against them. I do not in these circumstances propose, as at present advised, to hold the inquiry proposed.
§ Lieut.-Colonel POWNALLIn view of the fact that the inquiry took place 52 years ago, and that the need for economy is presumably more than it was in 1870, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the making of some economies in the very expensive Scottish judicial system?
§ Mr. MUNROIf I might respectfully recommend my hon. and gallant Friend to study the Reports of that Commission, 2079 he will find that there are considerations to-day just as strong as were then advanced, and, moreover, the population of Scotland has increased by 45 per cent. since that date.