§ Dr. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been called to a memorial presented from the Solicitors and Procurators of Berwickshire, complaining that Mr. Crawford, recently appointed sheriff clerk of the county, holds a number of public appointments, and was and still practically continues to be a partner in a firm of solicitors practising in the district; and, whether he has made any inquiry as to the truth of the statements contained in the memorial; and, if so, whether he purposes taking any action in the case?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR) (, &c.) ClackmannanI have seen this memorial, and made inquiry in regard to the allegations which it contains. The information which I have received is, that Mr. Crawford does hold a number of public appointments, and 1359 although these constitute a large concentration of offices in the same hands I cannot say that his tenure of them is a violation of the terms of his commission or of the general law. The commission contains a stipulation that Mr. Crawford shall not practise as a solicitor or law agent, or be a partner of any firm of solicitors Or law agents; and I am informed that he is complying with this condition—that he is not practising as a solicitor or law agent, either personally or through anyone else, and that he is not a partner of any legal firm.