§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSasked the Lord Advocate, What progress has now been made in writing up the arrears in the several indices in the Register House, Edinburgh; and, whether he is now in a position to give any assurance that both the Search Sheet System and the old Index System will both be maintained?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)I have ascertained that satisfactory progress has been made in writing up the arrears of the abridgments and indices of the Records in the Register House; and, according to the present rate of progress, it is expected that the indices, both to the old series, ending 1870, and the current series of the Records, will be completed in about two years from this time. With regard to the continuance of the present system, the right hon. Gentleman is aware that a Report has lately been furnished to the Treasury on this subject. Until that Report has been fully considered, it would be premature to give an assurance that the old indices will be continued. I may say, however, that no change in the present system will be made without giving an opportunity to the Profession to express their opinions on the subject.