§ Mr. Grimondasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he is taking steps to enforce the performance by the sheriff clerks of their statutory duties referred to in his answer to the hon. Member for Havant and Waterloo (Mr. Lloyd) on 13 May, Official Report, c. 766.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandMy noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate and I are naturally concerned about the effect industrial action by sheriff court 421W staff is having on the disposal of business and we are keeping the situation under close review. The current industrial action is confined to Glasgow and Edinburgh sheriff courts where emergency arrangements, mainly to deal with essential business, are being undertaken by the sheriffs. The sheriff clerk of Glasgow and the sheriff clerk of Edinburgh are not participating in the strike action. In Glasgow sheriff court the sheriff clerk, supported by a few staff, is doing his best in a very difficult situation to 422W provide a service and carry out the statutory duties. The sheriff clerk in Edinburgh has been on protracted sick leave but is expected to return to duty shortly.
In the absence of their staff, it is very difficult or even impossible for the sheriff clerks to perform their statutory duties and in the present circumstances, therefore, no steps to enforce the performance of statutory duty by the sheriff clerks seem appropriate.