§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is in his power to state, for the information of the House, what course Her Majesty's Government propose to take with respect to the now vacant office of Lord Clerk Register and Keeper of the Signet? He would also ask another Question, of which he had given the right hon. Gentleman private Notice—Whether he is in a position to state the nature of the measures which Her Majesty's Government intend to propose for the supervision of education in Scotland?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, the House will remember that the office of Lord Clerk Register was held some time ago by Lord Dalhousie. At that time, it was considered a sinecure office, and when the noble Lord went out to India 38 he did not think it right to receive the emoluments, but gave them up absolutely. The gentleman who last held that office, and who has lately unfortunately died, had done so much good in superintending and performing the actual work of the office that the Government of the day thought, and this House agreed, that a salary should be assigned to him for the work he had done. He received that salary up to the time of his death, and has done great and good service. Now he is dead, the Government have considered what is the best arrangement to make, and they think it is not right to abolish the office of Lord Clerk Register, which is one of the high offices of State in Scotland; and they are also of opinion that, while it is not necessary or wise to abolish that office, it may be wise to give it to some person of rank in Scotland, whom they might consult with, and who should hold the office without any actual duties being assigned to him except general superintendence. The duties would be performed by a deputy, who would receive the salary, whilst the Lord Clerk Register would receive no salary. In connection with this matter the Government have had under consideration that which was long pressed upon them by hon. Members from Scotland—namely, the appointment of an Assistant Undersecretary of State attached to the Home Office, who shall be specially charged with Scotch Business in aid of the Lord Advocate. Her Majesty's Government have decided to ask the House to allow them to bring in a short Bill to appoint this Under Secretary of State, who will have a seat in this House, who will be specially charged with the administration of Scotch affairs, who will receive the ordinary salary of an Under Secretary, and who will be expected at the same time to look after the Registry Office of Scotland. With regard to the second Question, as to the supervision of Education in Scotland, the House may have gathered that it is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to continue the Scotch Education Board; but they think it necessary that Scotland should have a special Representative on the Committee of Council on Education, and therefore they have thought it right to advise Her Majesty that the Lord Advocate should be placed on the Education Board in England, and 39 I belive that he will be sworn in to-day of the Privy Council to effect that object.