§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYasked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been drawn to a statement of the sittings during a fortnight of the five Lords Ordinary of the Court of Session, published in the "Scotsman" newspaper of 11th December last, showing that for the fortnight one of their Lordships sat altogether for twelve hours, another for fifteen hours, and the average sittings of the whole was about thirty hours each; and whether, with so little business to discharge, he will recommend the Crown to fill up the Judgeship now vacant?
THE LORD ADVOCATEI have to inform the hon. Member for Forfarshire that it is not the intention of the Government to recommend Her Majesty to fill up the Judgeship now vacant, but I hope in a short time to ask the leave of the House to introduce a Bill dealing with the subject. With respect to the former part of the Question, I can only now say that my attention was called to the statement shortly after its publication. I have received other communications, some affirming, others questioning its truth, but I have not thought it necessary to direct any inquiry.