§ 117 and 118. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he is aware of the difficulty and expense which confront the Scottish dependants who have to prove the deaths of sailors in the Merchant Navy reported missing; and if he will introduce legislation under which the courts in Scotland will be empowered to accept as proof of such deaths the certificates of the appropriate shipowners;
(2) if he is aware that legal difficulties relating to inheritance, succession and the like, have arisen in Scotland owing to the absence of statutory authority enabling the sheriffs of Scotland to accept as proof of death certificates from the Admiralty, War Office, or Air Ministry, that a sailor, soldier or airman, is reported missing; and if he will take steps to provide such authority.
§ Mr. WestwoodThe provision made by the Confirmation of Executors (War Service) (Scotland) Act, 1940, is limited to persons missing during the "war period," 77W which ended with the expiration of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939. I shall, of course, be ready to consider any evidence which my hon. and learned Friend may submit as to the need for further provision but with the present pressure of the legislative programme I could not undertake to introduce early legislation.