§ MR. THORNTON (Clapham)In the absence of the hon. Member for East Edinburgh, I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland what progress has been made in carrying out the recommendations made in the Report issued some time ago by the Committee appointed to inquire into the condition of the Register of Deeds Office in the General Register House, Edinburgh; and, in particular, whether the Deputy Clerk Register has executed the directions sent to him on the 20th February last to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee; whether the Treasury have given their approval to certain changes recommended, involving financial questions; and whether he is prepared to lay before the House any Minute embodying the Government proposals in the matter?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN, Glasgow, Bridgeton)Effect is being given to the recommendations of the Committee in respect to the administrative questions of the re-arrangement of the work of the Office and the conditions of the appointment and dismissal of the engrossing clerks. The financial changes which I recommended have been approved by the Treasury generally, and only some details remain for final adjustment. The formal Minute embodying the Government proposals will very shortly be laid before the House.