§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that William Cassels, sentenced on the 5th instant by the Sheriff Substitute at Portree to three weeks' imprisonment from his committal on December 23, had been kept in prison awaiting trial ton weeks from that date, or seven weeks beyond the term of his actual sentence; and, if he will explain why a prisoner ultimately tried summarily before a Court whoso powers of imprisonment are limited to two months, was detained in prison ten weeks awaiting trial?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrews Universities)William Cassels was detained in prison for ten weeks before trial, which was, in my opinion, most improper in such a case, unless there were exceptional circumstances to explain the delay. I think it necessary to make a full inquiry, and I shall feel obliged if the hon. Member will postpone his Question for a week.