§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSHasked the Lord Advocate, What steps Government intend to take with the view of remedying the inconveniences occasioned to the judicial business of Nairnshire from the want of a resident sheriff?
THE LORD ADVOCATESir, there has not been a vacancy in the judicial office in Nairn for upwards of 50 years, and I think it is to that circumstance, rather than to the difficulty in getting their judicial work done there, that the inconvenience alleged by the hon. Member must be attributed. Her Majesty's Government propose to remedy that inconvenience by appointing a gentleman to discharge the duties of the vacant office; but it is right to say, looking to the terms of the hon. Gentleman's Question, that it is not intended to appoint a resident sheriff to perform the duties of the office. The Law Commissioners of 1860 recommended that the office should be united to that of a neighbouring sheriff substitute; and I think there has been no such change in the amount or in the character of the duties as would justify the Government in departing from that recommendation.