§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Falkirk Burghs)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he is aware that, by the terms of Sheriff Scott Moncrieff's appointment, he is bound to reside at Lanark, as his predecessor did. Will he explain on what grounds the Secretary for Scotland has allowed him to break the terms of this arrangement and to reside in Glasgow for one year; and whether this permission can now be withdrawn, and steps taken that the terms of the sheriff's commission are observed, and that he will reside in or near Lanark.
*MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYIt is usual to insert in a sheriff-substitute's commission a direction as to where he is 1168 to reside. But such direction can at any time be altered by the Secretary for Scotland. Sheriff Scott Moncrieff was appointed to Lanark from Inverness last year. On coming to take up his appointment he found it impossible at the moment to secure a suitable residence, and communicated the fact to the Secretary for Scotland, The Secretary for Scotland satisfied himself that this was so, and in the circumstances granted him permission to reside in Glasgow, where most of his court work is, for a period of one year. It is hoped by that time that he will be able to secure accommodation at Lanark.