A wide variety of subjects occupied Scott's time as Attorney General, with criminal law being just one. In Parliament he spoke on a number of other issues, including an annuity for the Prince of Wales, cash restrictions granted to the Bank of England, and legacy and inheritance taxes. He appeared in the House of Lords on peerage claims, reviewed the government Bills to be presented to the Irish Parliament, and recommended when the Crown should grant patents for useful inventions and procedures. The majority of the legal opinions he wrote also concerned other than criminal matters. Nevertheless criminal administration, particularly administration of the law on crimes against the state, was the most important work that Scott performed during this period. As Attorney General he helped shape the official response to what many perceived as the internal threat of republicanism during the 1790s. First as a draughtsman and then as one of the leading government speakers in the House of Commons, he helped determine the extent of the legislative response. Furthermore, he not only advised when the Crown should undertake public prosecutions, but he often determined how the Crown ought to prosecute individuals for treason and sedition. Because of its overwhelming importance for this phase of his career, therefore, it is important to concentrate on Scott's administration of the law of treason and sedition, and the evolution of his attitude toward legislation and prosecution as the best method of enforcement.