HC Deb 24 October 1950 vol 478 cc2682-3
20. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will raise the salaries of all sheriff substitutes to the level of county court judges in England and Wales, in view of the diversity and responsibility of the judicial duties of the former.

Miss Herbison

My right hon. Friend is of the opinion that the question should not be considered in isolation from the question of judicial salaries generally.

Mr. Macdonald

In view of the fact that some county court judges in England have less responsibility than have the sheriff substitutes in Scotland, why has the salary of the sheriff substitutes not been raised? It is possible to raise their salary without an Act of Parliament, as compared with the case of English judges. Further, since the salaries of other high-ranking members of the Civil Service, of which they are members, have recently been raised, why should not the salary of the sheriff substitutes be raised?

Miss Herbison

All these questions have been considered, and the answer still is that we cannot possibly consider it at present.

21. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will abolish the title of sheriff substitute in Scotland and replace it with a title more commensurate with the dignity and judicial importance of this position.

Miss Herbison

My right hon. Friend is unable to hold out any prospect of legislation to give effect to this proposal, which has been the subject of consideration on numerous occasions in the past and which is still a highly contentious matter within the legal profession.

Mr. Macdonald

Is the Secretary of State considering a change of nomenclature? In the case of the sheriff substitute, the term "substitute" does not necessarily carry with it the dignity of the position, and should be changed.

Miss Herbison

This matter has been considered by previous Secretaries of State and the Lord Advocate, but no agreement has yet been reached by the judicial bodies in Scotland. If agreement could be reached by those bodies, steps would be taken to bring legislation before Parliament.