§ 35. Mr. WATTasked the Lord Advocate whether the clerkship to the justices of peace for the Middle Ward of Lanarkshire is at present vacant; what has been the amount of the emoluments derived from this office by the late holder; what are the duties of the office;-and whether, under the circumstances, he can see his way to divide the duties and emoluments among at least four men or else reduce the fees of the office?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Munro)The answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the affirmative. I have no official information as to the amount of the emoluments of the office, which are derived from fees, but I understand that they exceed £2,000 a year, out of which the late holder paid the salaries of his deputies and the other expenses connected with the discharge of his duties. The clerk of the peace attends by himself or his deputy the Civil and Criminal Courts of the justices, and is clerk of the Licensing Court and Court of Appeal. He has also duties under various Statutes, such as the Theatres Act, the Acts relating to Game Licences, the Pawnbrokers Act, and the Army Act. With reference to the last part of the question, the suggestions of my hon. and learned Friend are already under consideration.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us how much the salary and fees of the late holder amounted to?
§ Sir G. YOUNGERDoes not the Lore Advocate consider that this salary is an extreme one in view of the duties performed, and will he consider the propriety of revising the salary and fees before he makes another appointment?