§ MR. BLACK (Banffshire)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that Lord Johnstone, having acted as senior counsel for the Free Church of Scotland, is now compelled, as Lord Ordinary on the Bills, to decide cases raising questions of possession between that Church and the United Free Church and cannot decline jurisdiction; and what course the Government proposes to take in the circumstances.
(Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am advised that the hon. Member's Question proceeds on an erroneous view of the law. The point has been already considered and dealt with by the Court. Lord Johnstone's declinature has been sustained, and it has been arranged that the cases referred to shall be remitted to another Judge.