§ MR. CALDWELL (Glasgow, St. Rollox)asked the Lord Advocate whether it is the fact that by the conditions of his appointment the Chief Clerk for Forfarshire, Mr. Thomas Congleton, is obliged to devote his whole time to the duties of Sheriff Clerk; whether, in point of fact, he also acts as Clerk to the Commissioners of the Burgh of Newport; whether he recently acted as Presiding Officer at the election of Commissioners for that burgh; and whether the performance of these outside duties are compatible with the terms of Mr. Congleton's appointment.
§ *MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONUntil I received notice of the question of the hon. Member, I was not aware of the fact that Mr. Congleton acted as Clerk to the Newport Police Commissioners. I have satisfied myself that he has only done so through a misunderstanding of the terms of his appointment, which prohibit him from holding any other office of emolument, though it does not specify that he is to give his whole time to the office, as is stated in the question. On being made aware that the holding of this office is not compatible with the terms of his appointment as Sheriff Clerk, Mr. Congleton at onceintimated his intention of giving up the office of Clerk to the Commissioners of Newport.