§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Scottish judiciary enjoy equivalent constitutional and legal protection from interference with their independence to that enjoyed by the English judiciary under the Act of Settlement and the Supreme Courts Act; and, if so, what is the constitutional and legal basis for that protection. [HL286]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)Her Majesty's Government consider that the independence enjoyed by the Scottish judiciary is the equal of that available to the English judiciary. Scottish judges and sheriffs are appointed by Her Majesty The Queen and have the same salaries and conditions of service as their English counterparts. Sheriffs may not be removed from office without the approval of Parliament.