Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 11 March 1947.
Mr Hector Hughes
, Aberdeen North
12:00,
11 March 1947
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the fact that the judges in Scotland who are called "sheriffs-substitute" are not, in fact, substitutes, and that this name is, therefore, misleading and undignified, if he will introduce legislation to eliminate from this title the word "substitute" so that these judges will in future be officially termed "sheriffs."
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
I am unable to hold out any prospect of legislation on this suggestion, which has been considered on previous occasions.
Mr Hector Hughes
, Aberdeen North
Is the Secretary of State aware that he is misinformed about this; that the legal profession in Scotland have long had ready a non-controversial draft Bill on this subject; and will he seek time for its introduction?
Mr Joseph Westwood
, Stirling and Falkirk District of Burghs
I am aware that they may have been considering this matter, but I am equally aware that the term has been used since the year 1746. I know further that it is not non-controversial.
Mr Hector Hughes
, Aberdeen North
But is it not time for a change?
Mr John McGovern
, Glasgow Shettleston
Is the Secretary of State aware that the prisoners have no objection to this change?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
