§ Mr. JAMES HOGGEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the fact that the pay of the engrossing staff in the deeds office of the Register House, Edinburgh, has not been altered for the last fifty years; that there is no allowance for sickness; that engrossing clerks require to take three weeks' holiday every year over and above the statutory holidays, for which they receive no remuneration; that the hours of work have been reduced by two hours daily without any corresponding increase of pay; and that there is a substantial surplus on the working expenses of the office.; and whether, in view of these facts and also in view of the much-increased cost of living, he can hold out any hope of an increase in remuneration for such clerks?
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Mr. McKINNON WOODThe engrossing clerks in the deeds office are pieceworkers and are necessarily subject to the conditions implied in that form of employment, some of which are specified by my hon. Friend. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction in the office with the existing rates of remuneration, and in the circumstances I am unable to give any assurance of the nature suggested in the question. I am informed that appointments as engrossers are much sought after.