§ 38. Mr. Ancramasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what is the present number of administrative staff employed by the Crown Office.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe total strength of the Crown Office and procurator fiscal service is 855. Of these, 315 are in grades within the administrative group.
§ Mr. AncramWill my hon. and learned Friend confirm that this is an increase on the figure which he inherited at the general election? If that is so, will he explain why?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandYes, I can explain exactly why this is so. It is an increase of 4½ per cent. The increase in the number of cases with which the staff have to deal is 13½ per cent. That is productivity.
§ Mr. DewarI extend my sympathy to the Solicitor-General for that exhibition of disloyalty from the chairman of the Conservative Party in Scotland. May I ask about the rather strange situation which I understand exists in the 860 Court of Session administrative department, where Lord Cowie's recommendations on divorce law reform are not being implemented purely and simply because two administrative officers cannot be appointed? Is that true? If so, what will the Solicitor-General do about it?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI doubt whether it is true. If it is, it is not my responsibility.