(468)  JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND THE SUPREME COURT

Some interesting matter from the Scottish Parliamentary record on the above matters, not least comments from the Justice Minister about the possibility of the new Supreme Court getting out and about –

Written Answers Thursday 26 May 2005 <http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-05/wa0526.htm>http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-05/wa0526.htm Justice

Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the judicial appointments process is working satisfactorily. (S2O-6885)Cathy Jamieson: The independent Judicial Appointments Board makes recommendations to ministers for appointment of judges, sheriffs principal and sheriffs. I consider that so far the board is working very effectively in improving the transparency of this process. Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on where the UK Supreme Court should be located.(S2W-16493)Cathy Jamieson: The UK Government’s preferred option is to locate the Supreme Court for the United Kingdom in Middlesex Guildhall, Parliament Square, London for the reasons set out by Lord Falconer in his statement to both Houses on 14 December 2004. The permanent siting of the Court in London would not preclude it from sitting elsewhere in the United Kingdom from time to time.