§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSHasked the Lord Advocate, Whether, in view of the discussion on an amendment to the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Bill of 1877, to the effect that sheriff clerks and procurators fiscal thereafter appointed should not directly, or indirectly, or by others, be permitted to transact any other business for profit wherein he took part, observing—
That when it could be done, a sufficient salary would be paid in future which would enable them to give up their private practice. The principle had already been adopted in Glasgow, and wherever it could be applied it would be carried out;he will take care in filling up the vacancy in the office of sheriff clerk of Ross and Cromarty, whose late holder 1748 confined himself strictly to the duties of his office, that the above principle will be followed?
THE LORD ADVOCATESir, it is exceedingly difficult to give a reply to this Question without making a speech, but I shall endeavour to make it as short as possible. I quite adhere to the opinions I expressed on the discussion on the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Bill of 1877, though my opinions are not correctly expressed by the single sentence quoted in the Question. I am not satisfied with the statement contained in the Question, as to the performance of the duties by the last occupant; because my information is that, instead of confining himself to the duties of his office, for a long period he was unable even to attend to his private practice; and as to the duties of the office, they were confined to giving his signature to papers. I doubt whether there is work in the office to fill up the time of a single individual, but the adjustment of the salary rests with the. Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. They revise it on every vacancy, and they adjust the future payments to the extent and character of the duties to be performed. I am, therefore, unable to give any more definite answer than that which I have expressed.