§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whe- 396 ther Sheriff Johnstone, who acted as the Returning Officer for Sutherlandshire at the last Parliamentary election, appeared at Edinburgh after the election to answer a complaint against him of charging 1s. per mile as travelling allowance for his Presiding Officers and polling clerks; and, if so, whether he will state the decision of the Court with reference to the complaint made against Sheriff Johnstone?
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, BridgetonSheriff Johnstone appeared in ordinary course at an Appeal Court before the Election Judges. The decision of the Court was to the effect of the answer which gave the hon. Member on the 25th of last month—namely, that the Returning Officer could not charge more than the travelling expenses actually incurred.
§ *MR. WEIRThen it is a fact that this gentleman had to disgorge 75 per cent, of these travelling allowances?
§ [No answer was given.]