HC Deb 28 June 1889 vol 337 cc1019-20
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the gentleman who is Accountant Statistician and Inspector of District Offices in the Sheriffdom of Lanark is a brother of the Sheriff Clerk of Lanarkshire who created the office and made the appointment; when that gentleman made his last inspection of the district offices, and how often since his appointment he has inspected those offices; what experience, knowledge, or training in Sheriff Court work that gentleman has had to enable him efficiently to perform the duties of his present position; and, what was that gentleman's calling prior to his appointment six years ago lo the office he now holds?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON,) Bute

My answer to the first question is in the affirmative; the last inspection at Hamilton was made in the end of 1886. He has been twice at Hamilton, once at Airdrie, and once at Lanark. The duties of this office are altogether connected with the accounting department of the Sheriff Clerk's office, and prior to his appointment he had thirty years' experience as cashier, accountant, and ultimately partner in a large commercial house.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate what additional sum was granted to the Sheriff Clerk of Lanarkshire, on the death of Mr. Donald, the Commissary, in consequence of the commissary work being then added to the Sheriff Clerk's duties, and what proportions of that sum were allotted to the Sheriff Clerk deputes at Hamilton, Airdrie, and Lanark, who now require to take charge of the commissary work falling under their respective districts?

MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

When these two offices were amalgamated the sum of £850 was added to the sheriff clerk's salary in respect of this work and the increase in his ordinary duties, £400 of which was allotted to the Sheriff Clerk himself and £450 for the clerks and deputes. The bulk of the commissary work is done in Glasgow, and in respect of what is done in the districts £45 was allotted to the deputes at Lanark, Airdrie, and Hamilton respectively. An additional clerk has since been sent to Hamilton at a salary of £60.