ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (EMERGENCY PROVISIONS) (SCOTLAND) BILL. [H.L.] (Hansard, 6 June 1939)

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a second time. As your Lordships are aware, we have just read for the third time the Administration of Justice 282 (Emergency Provisions) Bill which relates to the management of the Courts in England in the event of an emergency of a serious character arising. This Bill relates to Scotland and, mutatis mutandi, corresponds to the provisions of the English Bill with regard to the places and time of sittings of the High Court of Judiciary, the Court of Session, and the Sheriff Courts. There is one slight alteration in Clause 3 which contains provisions similar to Clause 7 of the English Bill with regard to the number and age limits of jurors. As your Lordships no doubt are aware, in Scotland a jury can return a verdict by a majority, and therefore this provision has suffered some alteration. Some of the matters relating to the administration of justice in Scotland are of the nature of arcana to a poor Englishman, but I am glad to know there are in the House at this moment some, born and bred in the matter, who can explain anything which in the opinion of your Lordships may require explanation.

§ LORD THANKERTON

My Lords, as one deeply interested in the administration of justice in Scotland, and with some experience of it, I would like to support my noble and learned friend on this Bill. I think it right that every care should be taken to provide fully and adequately for the emergency which we all hope will never arise, but for which it is entirely essential to make adequate preparation. If your Lordships have any difficulty about the Bill—if there is any technicality which may require explanation—I shall be glad to explain it as my noble and learned friend has suggested. The Bill applies exactly the same principles to Scotland as the Bill which your Lordships have passed for England this afternoon.