§ MR. COCHRANErose to move for leave to bring in a Bill to facilitate the removal of Schoolmasters in Scotland. The Bill was rendered necessary by the difficulty which was experienced in putting in force the provisions of the 43rd of George III. for the removal of schoolmasters. In the event of a schoolmaster being guilty of cruelty it was found to be extremely difficult to remove him; and in case of incapacity the difficulty amounted almost to an impossibility. It was not his intention to abrogate the jurisdiction of the Presbytery, but merely to give a concurrent jurisdiction to the Lord Advocate and the Sheriff Substitute. The Bill would empower individuals to lay before the Lord Advocate a charge against a schoolmaster for any of the causes enumerated in the 43rd of George III. The Lord Advocate would investigate the charge; if he should deem it insufficient in point of importance, or of proof, the matter would of course proceed no further; but if it should be properly substantiated the charge would be referred by the Lord Advocate to the Sheriff Substitute, who, after notice, would try the case, and his decision would be final. He concluded by moving for leave to bring in the Bill.
§ Leave given. Bill brought in and read a first time.
§ House adjourned at Six o'clock.