§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of deeds presented to the Sasines Department in Edinburgh to be recorded, the fees paid 58W for same, together with the salaries and the number of staff employed during the year 1922; and what is the amount of the new fees received in the Sasines Office since the date of the increase of fees, 7th February, 1922, and the salaries paid since that date?
§ Captain KING:The number of deeds presented to the Sasines Department during the year 1922 to be recorded was 52,389. The total amount of recording fees paid during the year was £59,924 19s. The number of staff employed in the Department varied between 195 and 202. The amount of salaries paid during the calendar year 1922 was approximately £52,500. The amount during the period 7th February, 1922 to 31st December, 1922, was approximately £46,500. As regards the amount of new fees received since the increase in February, 1922, this information could only be obtained by making a detailed analysis of the fee books so as to separate the scales, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer does not think that the results obtained would justify the considerable amount of labour involved. He would add that the full effect of the new table of fees would not be felt for some months after the 7th February, 1922, the date on which it came into operation. The hon. Member will appreciate that the expenses of the Sasines Office are not confined to the salaries of the staff.