§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that, on the 22nd of March, 701 Sheriff Substitute Fraser, sitting without a jury at Stornoway, sentenced a fisherman named Malcolm M'Donald to three months' imprisonment; and, whether, as a Sheriff sitting alone, he had any power to pronounce such a sentence; and, if not, whether the Secretary for Scotland proposes to treat the sentence as ultra vires and void, and to order M'Donald's liberation?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The facts are as stated by the hon. Gentleman. The Sheriff had no power to pronounce such a sentence. This man and another sentenced along with him have been set at liberty.