HC Deb 13 February 1997 vol 290 cc296-7W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what purpose it is proposed to alter part IV of schedule 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 to provide for the omission from the schedule of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieutenant for an island area in Scotland. [15575]

Mr. Bates

Under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, all lieutenancy areas in Scotland became known as "areas" rather than "island areas" or "regions", with the exception of the four city areas. The amendments proposed to part IV of schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act reflect this and propose consolidating the disqualification provisions relating to lord-lieutenants and lieutenants for island areas in Scotland and lord-lieutenants and lieutenants for the Scottish regions under a single entry. The existing entry of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant and lieutenant for an island area in Scotland could therefore be removed from the schedule.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the proposed amendment to part I of schedule 1 of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 does not add the office of recorder or part-time recorder. [15576]

Mr. Bates

The House has accepted, for many years, the position whereby hon. and right hon. Members may also serve as recorders or assistant recorders. It has long been recognised that it is not only compatible with being a Member of Parliament to practice some other profession or occupation, but that it can be a positive advantage both to the individual Member and to the House as a whole.

Those hon. and right hon. Members who are recorders or assistant recorders, however, do not by custom either sit in their constituencies or hear cases remitted from their constituencies.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which offices of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenant or lieutenant are existing offices of disqualification under the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975; and what is the geographical jurisdiction of those offices. [15577]

Mr. Bates

Part IV of schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 lists the offices of Her Majesty's lord-lieutenants and lieutenants whose holders are currently disqualified from becoming Members of the House of Commons. The jurisdiction of these offices extend to the county, area or city for which the lord-lieutenant is appointed.