MR. MACKINTOSHasked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been directed to the Sasine Office in Edinburgh, and that the fees exacted during last year exceeded the expenses over fifty per cent; and, whether he will not relieve owners of property in Scotland by ordering a great reduction in the scale of fees charged in the above office?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATEMy attention has been directed for a considerable time to the arrangements in the Sasine Office in Edinburgh, and the departments connected with that office, including that of the searches of incum brances affecting property. I have also had numerous representations made to me in regard to the inadequacy of the staff in these departments, and the necessity of their being increased, so as to secure greater despatch in the transaction of the business coming before them. In consequence of the representations which have been made by me, and by the officials connected with these departments, the Treasury has deemed it necessary to order a considerable increase of staff, and consequently of expenditure, with a view to meet the public convenience in regard to greater expedition in obtaining searches, and making the indices of sasines available in the provincial districts, in terms of the Act of 1868. Fully to secure these objects may probably to 682 some extent make further demands on the Treasury; but I am glad to say that the administration of the Register of Sasines under the Act of 1868 has worked so satisfactorily that I have no doubt there will be a considerable surplus after making allowance for such expenditure, although I am not prepared to admit that the surplus is of the amount indicated in the Question. After the present and immediate demands upon it have been ascertained, the Treasury will take into consideration whether and to what extent there ought to be a reduction of fees for registration and searches, as provided for in the Act of 1868.