§ 43. Sir W. Darlingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the delays in the recording of Deeds in the 25W Register of Sasines; that formerly these Deeds were available in five weeks but now it is approximately seven months, and what steps he proposes to take to facilitate the transaction of important legal business.
§ Mr. WoodburnI am aware of the delays in the registration of writs in the Register of Sasines. The number of writs presented for registration has risen steeply in the last two or three years and, largely because of the general shortage of manpower, adjustments of staff have not kept pace with the growth of work. Sanction has now been given for a substantial increase of staff and it is hoped that it will be possible to provide additional staff in the immediate future.