§ Brought from the Commons; and read 1a.
§ Then, Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended:
§ 3.53 p.m.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA AND BURMA (THE MARQUESS OF ZETLAND)My Lords, I can explain the purpose of this Bill in a very few sentences. In the Scottish judicial hierarchy there are three categories of persons known respectively as Sheriffs, Sheriffs-substitute and interim Sheriffs-substitute. Under the law as it at present stands an interim Sheriff-substitute can only be appointed in the place of a Sheriff-substitute if the latter has been granted leave of absence on the ground of ill health. It is very desirable, even in times of peace, that this restriction should be removed. It may well happen, for example, in times of peace that a 1035 Sheriff-substitute is acting for a Sheriff, in which circumstances it may very well be desirable that the interim Sheriff-substitute should be appointed in the place of the Sheriff-substitute himself. But it becomes still more desirable in times of war, for the Sheriff-substitute may be engaged upon military duties or he may be undertaking work of national importance, and in those circumstances it is clearly desirable that it should be possible to appoint the interim Sheriff-substitute to act in his place. The single operative clause of this Bill has the effect of removing the existing restriction and so bringing about the state of affairs which we desire to see. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(The Marquess of Zetland.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a: Committee negatived.
§ Bill read 3a, and passed, and a Message sent to the Commons to acquaint them therewith.