§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many members he anticipates will be elected by the district council, and how many he anticipates will be appointed by himself, to the panel of justices for the Edinburgh District to be created under the District Courts (Scotland) Bill.
§ Mr. William RossUnder the provisions of the District Courts (Scotland) Bill as introduced, the City of Edinburgh District Council would be empowered to nominate up to 21 of its members to serve asex officio justices. Approximately 214 justices appointed by the Secretary of State and now serving will be allocated to the Edinburgh commission area in pursuance of Clause 10 of the Bill. I recently approved a list of 21 additional appointments to which effect will be given very 192W soon. The approval of a rota of justices to serve in the district court will be a matter for the justices' committee to be appointed under Clause 16; 95 of the 214 serving justices have expressed willingness to sit in court if required.