HC Deb 13 March 1956 vol 550 cc201-3
19. Mr. Hoy

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what appointment he has given Mr. C. N. Fraser under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act; what salary it is intended to pay him; and what are his qualifications for the position.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Mr. C. N. Fraser holds no appointment and receives no salary under the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act; but he has been designated to succeed the present senior counsel under that Act on his retiral in 1958. Mr. Fraser is an advocate of twenty-five years' standing and has been President of the Scottish Pensions Appeal Tribunal for the past ten years.

Mr. Hoy

My Question is not a reflection on Mr. Fraser. Is the Joint Under-Secertary not aware that this designated appointment has been received with disgust by the profession in Scotland and is regarded as a piece of patronage by the Lord Advocate's Department? Will he reconsider the decision with a view to giving fair play to the learned junior counsel who has so diligently served in this office for the past seventeen years?

Mr. Stewart

There is no evidence whatever that this has been received with disgust. [An HON. MEMBER: "Oh, Yes."] The procedure we have followed is entirely in accordance with custom. My right hon. Friend regarded Mr. Fraser as the best man for the job, and that is a perfectly good criterion.

Mr. Hoy

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Fraser has no experience in this office and very little experience at the Bar in general? What reason has he, with a reputation of that kind, for receiving this appointment?

Mr. Stewart

The hon. Member saw my right hon. Friend, as he knows, and discussed the matter, and he has received a letter from my right hon. Friend. He should be assured that in this matter my right lion. Friend has done everything that is proper and in accordance with custom.

Mr. Woodburn

The Joint Under-Secretary said that there was no evidence of disquiet. Is he aware that a number of representations have been made by the Bar in Scotland because they feel that a great injustice is being done in this matter and that personal representations have been made to my hon. Friend for Leith (Mr. Hoy) and others on this side of the House? There can be no doubt that there is a great deal of feeling at the Scottish Bar about this appointment.

Mr. Stewart

I can only repeat that we have no evidence of any such state of affairs.

Mr. Hoy

In view of the unsatisfactory state of affairs and of the unsatisfactory answer which I have received from the Joint Under-Secretary of State, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.