§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland is aware that about a month ago an engrossing clerk in the Sasine Office, Edinburgh, was summarily dismissed on the ground of defective eye sight, and that he died shortly afterwards in Morningside Asylum a pauper lunatic; and whether it is the practice of this Department to summarily dismiss officials under such circumstances; and if so, will arrangements be made to grant temporary leave of absence in similar cases, as in other public Departments in England.
§ *MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYI am informed that it is true that an old engrossing clerk of the Register of Sasines recently died in Morningside Asylum. This clerk was not summarily dismissed, but had been continued in the office for many years until his writing had become illegible and a source of danger to the public records. The Department has at all times shown to its staff whatever kindness and consideration it was possible in the interests of the public service to show.