§ 45. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take, in view of the fact that the Solicitor-General for Scotland is not a Member of the House of Commons, to ensure that Her Majesty's Government and the House are adequately advised on legal matters affecting Scotland.
§ The Prime Minister (Sir Winston Churchill)The advice of both the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General is, of course, fully available to Her Majesty's Government; and the Lord Advocate is a Member of this House.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesCan the Prime Minister tell us who is the Solicitor-General for Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterI am proceeding upon very solid precedents, and I may perhaps be permitted to give to the House some of the precedents on which I have relied in this matter. In 1924, from February to November, Mr. Fenton; in 1929, May to June, Mr. Normand; 1929–31, Mr. Watson; 1936–37, Mr. Reid; 1941-43, Sir David Murray; 1945–47, Mr. D. P. Blades; 1947—this is where you come in—March to October, Mr. Wheatley; 1947–48, Mr. D. H. Johnston. All these are precedents for a Solicitor-General—[Hon. Members: "Who is he now?"]—not sitting in the House of Commons. I think that should satisfy everyone.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesIs the Prime Minister aware that he has given the full team except the one we are interested in? Is he aware that in the Scottish Grand Committee last week we had no legal adviser, and that the Government were defeated on an Amendment moved by the right hon. and gallant Member for Kelvingrove (Lieut.-Colonel Elliot)? Is it not time he did something about this appointment?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the hon. Member supposes that I do not know the name of the Scottish Solicitor-General, it is Mr. Milligan.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Solicitor-General for Scotland was in the Scottish Grand Committee this morning, and that 1053 the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) was also there, saw him and, therefore, knows his name without assistance?
§ Mr. Hector HughesIs it possible that the Prime Minister cannot find a winable Tory seat in Scotland for the Solicitor-General?
§ The Prime MinisterWe have not done so badly in Scotland. At the 1945 General Election they held their own.
§ Mr. GowerIs the Prime Minister aware that the hon. Member who asked this Question comes from a country where few are solicitors but all are lawyers?