HC Deb 25 April 1991 vol 189 cc543-4W
Mr. Sillars

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when Glasgow sheriff court opens and closes each day.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Glasgow sheriff court opens to the public at 9.15 am on weekdays and closes when all courtroom business has been completed or when the offices close at 3.45 pm, whichever is the later. Court business can also be conducted outwith these times where necessary.

Mr. Sillars

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average hours use per day on judicial business of Glasgow sheriff court.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

In the quarter ending 31 December 1990, the average court sitting day, excluding lunch breaks, was 3.8 hours. In addition, sheriffs undertook judicial business in chambers.

Mr. Sillars

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many sheriffs, including sheriff principals there are in each sheriffdom; and how many there were five years ago.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The complement for each sheriffdom is set out in the table:

1991 1986
Glasgow and Strathkelvin 24 24
Grampian, Highland and Islands 13 13
Lothian and Borders 16 15
North Strathclyde 15 13
South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway 16 13
Tayside, Central and Fife 15 14
Floating Sheriffs 6 5
Total 105 97