§ 21. Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the fact that sheriff officers in Scotland frequently follow the occupation of debt collectors, etc., in addition to their avocation of officers of the Court; whether he is aware that the latter position is utilised in the furtherance of the former; and whether any arrangement can in future be made whereby sheriff officers will be whole-time servants of the Courts in order to prevent the official power of these officers being misused?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Munro)I am informed on inquiry that sheriff officers are sometimes employed to collect debts, and that instances have occurred of the kind referred to in the second part of the question. Such cases can be brought to the notice of the sheriff, who has power to deal with the offender by suspension or dismissal. In few, if any, localities is there sufficient work to occupy the whole time of a sheriff officer, and the answer to the last part of the question is therefore in the negative.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the cases referred to were brought to the notice of the Department?