HC Deb 31 July 1951 vol 491 cc1158-9
5. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to an increase in salaries for full-time sheriffs, sheriff substitutes, and members of the Land Court, apart from the Chairman.

11. Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding judicial salaries in Scotland.

Mr. McNeil

It has been decided to increase the salaries of whole-time sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute in Scotland by £500. The salary of the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court will be increased by the same amount; the position of the lay members of that Court is under consideration.

Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton

Would it not be advisable to treat the members of the Land Court on the same basis as sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute, and would it not also be advisable to treat the Chairman of the Land Court in his proper rank as a full judge of the Court of Session?

Mr. McNeil

I have already indicated that since we were considering what increases were appropriate in this range, an increase has been awarded to the Chairman of the Court. We are actively studying the position of the lay members.

Mr. Boothby

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement, particularly with regard to sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute, will be welcomed throughout Scotland?

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the recent statement made on behalf of the Government by the President of the Board of Trade that workers must exercise continuous restraint in wage claims? Does this not apply to the legal profession?

Mr. McNeil

I should say that these gentlemen have been restrained and temperate in their attitude.

Mr. Boothby

Too restrained.

Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

Does my right hon. Friend realise that these increases carry with them a corresponding increase in responsibility of the Government to make sure that the profession is open to all who have the talent and is not closed to people for financial reasons? Will he consider the possibility of an inquiry into the conditions of admission to the Scottish Bar with a view to introducing reform in that respect?

Mr. Manuel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this information will cause great concern throughout Scotland and that this decision will be regretted by many people in Scotland? Does he not consider that the Chairman of the Land Court, with already over £2,000 a year salary, is getting enough without this further increase? Is my right hon. Friend further aware that an increase in salary of the sheriff clerks would have been much more justified than in the case of sheriffs and sheriffs-substitute?

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Is the Secretary of State not aware that there is no class in the community which has more to gain by an upright administration of justice than the poorest and lowest paid members of the community?

Mr. Carmichael

Will my right hon. Friend be presenting a statement to the House so that we can discuss it? I am asking for the information because we discussed the increase in old-age pensions and, since we debated that increase of 4s., I think there is a very sound case for debating the £500 a year increase to the sheriffs.

Mr. McNeil

This increase will take place by administrative action and, subject to your guidance, Mr. Speaker, I should think that any question affecting the Bench would be dealt with by other machinery altogether.

Mr. Carmichael

I am not reflecting on the Bench. I am only asking for information