MR. PHILIPPS (Lanark, Mid)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether the matter of the Hamilton burgess fee is now likely to be settled without recourse to legal proceedings; and, whether, if it be necessary, he will introduce a measure for its reduction or abolition?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON) (Bute)I understand that nothing more has been done in the matter. If it were judicially ascertained that a ratepayer qualified under the Act 39 & 40 Vict. c. 12, is bound to pay the fee in question, I should then consider whether any steps ought to be taken to reduce or abolish it. At present I am not prepared to assume that this is the case.
MR. PHILIPPSsaid, that, in consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer, he would call attention to 1022 the subject on the Vote for the salary of the Lord Advocate.