§ 76. Dr. SHIELSasked the Secretary for Scotland if, in making the appointment of any new salaried sheriff-substitute in Scotland, he will keep in mind Section 12 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act, 1907, which provides that the qualification is that of advocate or law agent of five years' standing; and will he seriously consider whether an eligible law agent should not be appointed?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe claims of all eligible candidates—whether law agents or advocates—for the office of Sheriff-Substitute are, and will be, duly considered.
§ Dr. SHIELSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are over 3,000 law agents and advocates in Scotland, and only about 200 of them are members of the Faculty of Advocates, and that these appointments are given invariably to the members of the Faculty of Advocates?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI can only say the respective claims of the applicants are very fully considered.