§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether County Councils are entitled under the existing law to apply rates to the payment of pensions or grants?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR,) Clackmannan, &c.If I were to answer my hon. Friend's question in general terms, my reply would be in the negative, unless where such pensions are permitted by Statute; but if I were asked whether a County Council may, under special circumstances, and as part of an arrangement for the retirement of a deserving servant, make to him a superannuation allowance, I cannot say that this would be necessarily illegal.