§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
1279*The SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Lord BALFOUR of BURLEIGH)My Lords, the circumstances under which this Bill is presented to the House are these: So long ago as 1692 Greenlaw was made the head burgh of the county of Berwick by an Act of the Scottish Parliament. About fifty years ago that was so far altered that ordinary courts are allowed to be held at Duns as well as at Greenlaw; but small debt courts and criminal cases tried by jury are kept at Greenlaw, and also at that place there are kept all the county records. The distribution of jurisdiction has been felt to be a great inconvenience. Duns is now much more accessible than Greenlaw by modern methods of communication, and is also a more important town. It is proposed, therefore, to transfer to Duns the records and all the Sheriff Court business, and to give it the status of head burgh. I believe there is no opposition to the Bill. It is, I know, supported by the county council, and I hope your Lordships will agree to pass it.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be read a second time."—(Lord Balfour of Burleigh.)
§ On Question, agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.