§ MR. M'EWAN (Edinburgh, Central)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, The exact amount of surplus funds paid into the Imperial Exchequer by the Sasine Office, Edinburgh, during the last 20 years; and, to what purpose the money has been applied; and, if he would state the amount of commission paid in respect of the sale of stamps to the present retailer since the date of his appointment; and, whether, on a favourable opportunity arising, the sale of these stamps would be transferred to the Inland Revenue or the Cashier's Department in the Sasine Office?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)All fees received in the General Register House, of which the Sasine Office is a branch, are paid into the Exchequer; but the account kept does not show the amount received from each branch, and I am, therefore, unable to give the amount paid in respect of the Sasine Office. I may state, however, that the cost of the General Register House, as a whole, exceeds the amount of the fees received. It is impossible to state exactly how much the present retailer receives in commission on the sale of stamps; but it may be taken approximately at £480 per annum, or a total of £7,000 since his appointment in 1871. On the occurrence of a vacancy arrangements will be made, if possible, for a more economical system of distribution.