Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the number of ejectment processes in Glasgow during the first three months of the present year is much greater than for the first three months of last year; if so, whether he can conveniently state the figures; whether before the War such processes in Glasgow were generally dealt with by the magistrates; whether since the commencement of the War they have generally, or to a considerable extent, been transferred to the Sheriff Court; and, if so, what has led to that change?
860W
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe figures for the first three months of 1914 and 1915 respectively are as follows:—
1914. 1915. Sheriff Court … … 172 1,401 Burgh Court … … 7,011 5,040 Totals … … 7,183 6,441 These figures show that while the total number of ejectment processes has diminished, the number in the Sheriff Court has increased. The Sheriff and Burgh Courts have a concurrent jurisdiction in these cases and the choice of Court rests with the petitioner. I am informed that owing to the more minute inquiry necessitated in the many cases in which the protection of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, is invoked, it has been found necessary to curtail the number of cases dealt with at each sitting of the Burgh Court, and this has probably caused the increased resort to the Sheriff Court.