DR. CAMERONasked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been called to complaints of unreasonable delays in the office of the Extractor of the Court of Session; whether it is true that in a recent case involving the payment of £20,000 the unsuccessful suitor had to wait five weeks before he could obtain an extract of the judgment of the Court; whether it is true that the prin- 1816 cipal Extractor engages in private business as a solicitor; what are the salaries and staff of the office; and, whether he contemplates taking any steps to ensure the public against the delays complained.
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)Sir, I am aware that complaints have been made of delay in the Extractor's Office; but I have not been able to trace the case to which my hon. Friend refers. The Extractor is debarred by Act of Parliament from practising before the Court of Session, but not from practising otherwise as a solicitor, and he is a member of a firm of solicitors in Edinburgh. The salaries and staff of the office are:—Principal Extractor, £500; Assistant Extractor, £300; Clerk of Records, £100; and four engrossing clerks paid by their writings. In conjunction with the Treasury, I very recently directed an inquiry to be made into this Office, and I hope there will be no ground of complaint in the future.