§ 74. Mr. WATTasked whether any estimate has been formed by the Scottish Insurance Commissioners as to what the fees of the solicitor employed by them will amount to between the passing of the National Insurance Act and a year from that date; and, if so, what did the estimate amount to?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe consulting solocitor is paid the ordinary solicitor's 27 charges in Scotland. It is impossible to estimate the total amount of the fees for a year from the passing of the Act. The amount will depend upon the extent to which his services are called upon.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Commissioners have considered the advisability of employing a solicitor of their own instead of sending work of great volume to a solicitor who has other business?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI cannot say, but I will communicate with the Commissioners for Scotland.
§ 75. Mr. WATTasked whether an appointment has been made to the position of solicitor to the Scottish Insurance Commissioners, or has the solicitors' business of that body been given to one particular firm; if so, will he say who it is does this work; was the position advertised beforehand; and, if not, will he explain why that was not done; and on whose recommendation the firm was appointed?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIn the beginning of January last Mr. James Watt, W.S., was appointed consulting solicitor to the Scottish Insurance Commission and is paid the ordinary charges for work done as between agent and client, his accounts being taxed in the usual way by the auditor of the Court of Session. The appointment is temporary, and as it had to be made immediately it was not possible to advertise it. Mr. Watt is a Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries, as well as a Writer to the Signet.
MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINEIs this gentleman also the consulting solicitor for the friendly societies, and is it possible for him to do the two duties?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have no knowledge on that point.