§ DR. MACGREGOR (Inverness-shire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether Sheriff Substitute Simpson, Fort William, who is entitled to retire on the highest scale pension, and who intimated generally that he would retire in March last, following up that intimation by a sale of his dwelling house and furniture at Fort William, is now and has been since July last living in practical retirement on his property at Culrain, Ross-shire, under leave of absence; whether complaints have been made of the manner in which his duties have been discharged in his absence; and whether, in these circumstances, if leave of absence was obtained on the ground of old age and indisposition, he will be called on to resign or return to duty on the expiry of six months' absence?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan, &c.)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. It is the fact that Sheriff Substitute Simpson sold his house at Fort William at Whitsunday last, and removed his furniture to Culrain, Ross-shire, where he is now residing. From about Whitsunday to about the end of July he occupied a furnished house at Fort William, and he then left Fort William and has since resided at Culrain, never having returned to Fort William. He states that he is not aware that at any time he intimated his intention to resign at any definite date to anyone having a right to act on such an intimation, but that being in an indifferent state of health about the end of the Summer Session, he put himself in communication with the Sheriffs of Inverness and Argyll, who granted him leave of absence for three months, from 1st of October, on the footing that he should provide for the expense of a Substitute to act for him during that period, and for such further period, not exceeding three 1350 months, as might be necessary. He further says that his health is not at present satisfactory, and that he cannot himself give a definite answer to the question whether he intends to return to Fort William and reside and perform his judicial duties there, but that should he be advised by his medical attendant not to attempt to resume the performance of these duties on his leave, or extended leave expiring, his resignation will, of course, be placed in the hands of the proper authority. I have seen a complaint that in consequence of the state of matters existing at Fort William three Sheriff Substitutes took part in the disposal of a case.
§ DR. MACGREGORSeeing that the resignation is imminent, will the right hon. Gentleman in filling up the office give preference to someone who has a knowledge of Gaelic?
§ MR. J. B. BALFOURWe have not got to that stage yet. No doubt a knowledge of Gaelic is a material consideration in regard to all appointments in the Highlands.