§ MR. MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbright)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Scotch solicitors will be allowed to conduct the preliminary stages of Scotch Private Bills in either House of Parliament before they are referred to the Commission under the proposed Private Bill Procedure legislation; and whether the employment of a Parliamentary agent is optional or imperative?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIn regard to the first paragraph, Scotch solicitors are certainly able to act as Parliamentary agents. The employment of a Parliamentary agent is, I believe, imperative in the conduct of a Bill in this House.