§ Mr. BOWENasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that officers of the Inland Revenue Department engaged in assessing Stamp Duties payable on deeds were given executive terms under the reorganisation report of 1920; that it devolves on the second-class clerks of the department of the Registers and Records of Scotland to see that all deeds presented for registration are adequately stamped; and whether he will take steps to secure for the second-class clerks at least the same terms as those enjoyed by the officers referred to?
Mr. W. ADAMSONI understand that the officers of the Inland Revenue Department referred to in the first part of the question were formerly second division clerks. As at present advised, I am unable to accept the implication in the second part of the question that the814W duties and conditions of second division clerks and of second class clerks in the Department of the Registers and Records of Scotland were comparable. As regards the third part, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to-day to a question on the subject by the hon. Member for West Edinburgh (Mr. Mathers).