MR. ROBERT WALLACE (Edinburgh)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has received a memorial from the first and second class clerks in the Sasines Office, Edinburgh, desiring the application of the seven hours day, and if he can explain why it is not applied, as in every other department of the Civil Service; whether the clerks in the Sasines Office are working two hours overtime daily for the greater part of the year, and whether the Secretary for Scotland will consider favourably their claim for increased remuneration for overtime; and when it is intended to hold an examination, in terms of Lord Lothian's Minute of 7th February, 1890, to fill the 18 vacancies in the permanent staff?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireYes, a memorial has been received. While the changes in the system of registration recommended by Lord Low's Committee, which are now under the consideration of the Law Societies, remain undetermined, and until additional accommodation has been provided in the new buildings, it has been found convenient to continue the present arrangements for carrying on the work of the Register of Sasines; but the question of an earlier application of the seven hours is now before the Secretary for Scotland, who is waiting for a report from the Keeper on this subject, and also on the filling up of the vacancies referred to.