§ Mr. PIRIEasked the Lord Advocate, with reference to the estimate of £2,000 as the expense entailed on the ratepayers of Scotland by the deputations in one week from Scotland to London last November, if he is aware that such an estimate is a moderate one of the expenses incurred by 173 gentlemen from Scotland who waited on the Secretary for Scotland in London, the average time spent by each gentleman away from home being at least three days at two guineas per diem while in England, and the travelling expenses being first-class return fare to and from Scotland; and if, in view of these facts, he is prepared to retract his statement that the expenses of that one week alone did not amount to a greater sum than had been the total average yearly expenditure, £1,600, for five years for similar purposes?
§ Mr. UREI am not prepared to express any opinion about my hon. Friend's estimate of the expenses referred to. As I said in answer to questions on 15th and 23rd November, 1911, these deputations did not come to London at the request of the Scottish Office, but ex proprio motu. I have no information as to the expense involved. I did not make the statement which my hon. Friend invites me to retract.
§ Mr. PIRIEMay I ask, in order to put an end to this controversy, if the practice pursued under the late regime is to be continued under the new regime?
§ Mr. PIRIEI shall put another question, and, if the answer is not satisfactory, I shall ask leave to move the adjournment of the House.