§ MR. DYCE NICOLsaid, he wished to ask the Lord Advocate, Whether, in the present unsatisfactory state of the Law in respect to the management of the Poor in Scotland, and the heavy and increasing expense of litigation connected therewith, 1709 he intends to take any steps to remedy the evil?
THE LORD ADVOCATESir, the Question put by my hon. Friend is very general in its terms; but, if I understand him correctly, he refers to the expense caused by the present Law of Settlement. I have only to say that I am very sensible of the evil complained of, and some years ago I introduced a measure calculated to remedy it. I did not then receive the amount of support I expected, but I shall be very glad to re-consider the matter.