§ 4. Sir MURDOCH McKENZIE WOODasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the disparity between the remuneration paid to sheriffs-substitute in Scotland and that paid to judicial officers of the same status in England; whether he is aware of the widespread anxiety in Scotland lest the efficiency of sheriff courts should suffer through members of the bar of the necessary professional attainments being unprepared to accept appointment as sheriffs-substitute on the present terms; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with the matter?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir Godfrey Collins)The comparison drawn between the remuneration of sheriffs-substitute and of judicial officers in England is necessarily subject to qualifications; but in considering the remuneration of the sheriffs-substitute the necessity for maintaining the efficiency of the sheriff court will of course be borne in mind. The matter is now under my consideration.