§ MR. WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he is aware that the scheme of the Scottish Educational Endowments Commissioners for the management of the endowments in the burgh of Culross was advertised only in one newspaper, published at a distance, and in another county, and which does not circulate in Culross, and how often was it so advertised; and that, in consequence of this insufficient advertisement, the inhabitants of Culross lost their opportunity of lodging objections to the scheme with the Scotch Education Department; and, whether, in the circumstances, he can, and will, take any steps to have the scheme re- 738 considered by the Department in the light of such objections?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The scheme for Geddes Endowment, Culross, was advertised by the Commissioners. After it was laid before the Scottish Education Department, and before being approved, it was again advertised in four separate issues of The Alloa Journal and The Dunfermline Journal, these being the newspapers selected by the Endowment Commissioners. It is true that these journals are published in counties other than that in which the endowment is situate; but the geographical and detached position in which Culross stands makes this unavoidable. So far as my Lords are aware, there is no newspaper published in any place nearer than those selected. The advertisements by the Department were inserted on two separate occasions—first on the original scheme being sent, and again after modification of the scheme. Opportunity for lodging objections was not lost. The School Board of Culross did lodge objections against the scheme, and these were duly considered; and before their Lordships' approval was given the scheme was modified in order to meet them.