§ MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that Mr. Alexander, the sheriff clerk of the county of Bute, is a 784 partner of, or has a pecuniary interest in, the firm of J. T. Wilson and Alexander, who carry on the business of law agents in Rothesay in the office of the sheriff clerk; and that the process accounts due to the firm are charged in the name of the other partner, and are taxed by the sheriff clerk, who is also auditor of court; and whether all this is in accordance with the position and tenure of office of the sheriff clerk.
§ *The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireI am informed that the Mr. Alexander, sheriff clerk of the county of Bute, has a pecuniary interest in the firm named. I am informed that inasmuch as the firm has never had a process in the Sheriff Court (which class of work alone is prohibited), it has never had a process requiring taxation. The sheriff informs me that he is quite satisfied with the arrangements made in the sheriff clerk's office and with the way the work has been performed therein. I see no reason to differ from him.