§ 7.14 p.m.
§ The Lord Advocate (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)My Lords, I beg to move that the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971 (Summary Cause) Order 1981, a draft of which was laid before the House on 6th May 1981, be approved. This order will be made under Section 41 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1971, and its purpose is to raise the upper financial limit of the summary cause in the sheriff court from £500 to £1,000. The summary cause was introduced into the sheriff court on 1st September 1976, with an upper financial limit of £500. Since that time, the change in monetary values has been such that the approximate equivalent of £500 is £1,000. This order accordingly increases, as from 1st September 1981, the fifth anniversary of the introduction of the summary cause, the upper financial limit of that procedure to £1,000. The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments has considered this and has, in its 20th Report, indicated that it has no special point to draw to the attention of the House. My Lords, I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 6th May be approved.—(Lord Mackay of Clashfern.)
§ Lord Boston of FavershamMy Lords, your Lordships will be very grateful to the noble and learned Lord the Lord Advocate for explaining the purpose of the order. I hope the fact that I cannot, unfortunately, claim any expertise in Scottish law will not make my support for him and for his order any less acceptable to him. It is with much pleasure that I join him in inviting your Lordships to accept it.
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.