asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what form court dues are collected in sheriff courts in Scotland; what official collects these dues; when, and to what quarter, he accounts for dues so collected; and what portion he retains as a fee or fees to himself?

Mr. Wedderburn:

Fees payable in sheriff courts in Scotland are collected in cash by the sheriff clerk, and are wholly accounted for by him monthly to the Exchequer. In addition, certain fees are payable to the sheriff clerk by means of stamps in respect of applications to the Scottish Land Court lodged with him, and are accounted for by him quarterly to the Land Court. No portion of the above-mentioned fees is retained by the sheriff clerk for himself. In a few cases small allowances are paid to sheriff clerks by the Land Court for work done under the Small Landholders Acts.

Are these fees accounted for to the Exchequer?

Mr. Wedderburn:

I have said that the fees collected in cash are accounted for monthly to the Exchequer, and in respect of stamps they are accounted for quarterly to the Land Court.