§ 16. Sir Basil Neven-Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the salaries paid to the agricultural members of the Scottish Land Court.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Westwood)The rate of salary payable to lay members of the Scottish Land Court has been under review in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Lord Advocate; but I am not at present satisfied that any alteration is necessary.
§ Sir B. Neven-SpenceIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these salaries have not altered since 1911 when they were first fixed, and that they were supposed to correspond roughly with the salaries of top grade Sheriff Substitutes whose salaries have been put up?
§ Mr. WestwoodI do not admit the latter part of the supplementary question, but it is a fact that the salaries were fixed at the date suggested by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Snaddenis it not a fact that there has recently been a much greater upgrading of the administrative staff in the Department of Agriculture and that now they are paid more than comparable members of the Land Court?
§ Mr. WestwoodI respectfully suggest that that has nothing whatever to do with the Question on the Order Paper.