§ 37. Mr. McKelveyasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will list the subjects about which he has transferred questions for oral answer from himself to the Secretary of State for Scotland in the current Session of Parliament.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI have transferred questions on legal aid; tape recording of police interviews; the reprimand of a sheriff; private legislation procedures; justice of the peace courts; fisheries offences; and statistics on drunk-driving and orders made under section 18(2) of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937.
§ Mr. McKelveyI am sure the House thinks that that is disgraceful. Does the Solicitor-General not realise that the Secretary of State has enough troubles in Scotland at the moment without the hon. and learned Gentleman passing the buck and transferring those questions? Why does the hon. and learned Gentleman not stand at the Dispatch Box, stop passing the buck and answer those questions himself?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandSimply because my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has not entrusted those responsibilities to me.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesTo whom should I address a question brought to my notice by a constituent in Yorkshire about the standard of service in a sheriff court in Scotland?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandIt depends on whether the right hon. Gentleman's complaint has to do with criminal proceedings or civil proceedings. If he would care to write to me, I shall make sure that if I cannot answer it myself I shall transfer it.