§ 34. Mr. MATHERSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the reference of the claims of the second class clerks in the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland to be further reported upon by Lord Fleming's Committee; and whether he can now state when a settlement of these claims brought before him in August, 1929, will be made, in view of the fact that any change in the system of registration brought about as a result of the report now being awaited would not detract from the strength of the claims, as the responsibility of the work of these officers continues to increase?
§ Mr. WESTWOODThe particular claims of the second class clerks have not been referred to Lord Fleming's Committee which is concerned with the system of registration of writs. Questions of the grading and remuneration of the staffs are, however, necessarily dependent upon the system of registration; and it was partly with a view to expediting a decision on the staff claims that Lord Fleming was asked to convene again his committee on registration. My right hon. Friend will see that, so far as he is concerned, there is no avoidable delay in reaching a settlement.
§ Mr. MATHERSWill the Under-Secretary indicate to his right hon. Friend the extreme dissatisfaction that exists in regard to the long and protracted delay 978 that has occurred in meeting the claims of these men which apparently the Under-Secretary has indicated cannot be effected by the inquiry now being carried on?
§ Mr. WESTWOODI have already given my hon. Friend an assurance on behalf of my right hon. Friend that, so far as he is concerned, there will be no avoidable delay in reaching a settlement.
§ Mr. MATHERSWill the Under-Secretary indicate to his right hon. Friend the desirability of seeing that no one else is allowed to stand in the way of a speedy settlement?