Commissioner of Supply

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Commissioners of Supply were established in each of the counties of Scotland in 1667, originally to collect the Land Tax. They later came to carry on much of the local government of their areas, until the establishment of county councils by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889. Commissioners were finally abolished in 1930.

The Parliament of Scotland passed legislation creating Commissioners of Supply for each of the Scottish counties in 1667. They were effectively a committee of the large landowners of the county, charged with ensuring the collection of "cess" or land tax to supply the financial needs of the sovereign. The commissioners continued to exist following the passing of the Act of Union in 1707. From 1718 they became responsible, along with justices of the peace, for county roads and bridges, and in 1832 they were charged with raising "rogue money" for the keeping of the peace.^[1]

In many cases the commissioners appointed special constables for all or parts of their counties, and by the Police (Scotland) Act 1857 they were required to establish a county police force, in all areas outside police burghs, from 1858.

In 1890 virtually all of the powers and duties of the commissioners passed to the newly created county councils. The commissioners continued to exist, however, meeting once a year to elect a convener and to appoint members to the Joint Standing Committee that was responsible for the county constabulary. The other members of the committee were nominated by the county council, and it was chaired by the sherriff of the county.

Commissioners of Supply were finally abolished in 1930 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1929.

[edit] References

1. ^ Highway (Scotland) Act 1718 (1718 c. 30) and Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1832 (1832 c. 65, section 44)