§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he has completed the further inquiries recently promised into the case of John Mackay, some time ago found dead and half-naked in the Island of South Harris, whose death was reported by the police as due to exposure, but whose mother asserted that his body when found showed stabs in two places, and other marks of violence indicative of foul play; and, if he would state the date on which Mackay's body was found; the date of the inquiry on which the first Police Report was based, and by whom the inquiry was conducted; the date at which the medical examination of the body was made by Dr. Stewart; and the 800 dates of any visit or visits made to the Island by the Procurator Fiscal for the purpose of inquiring into the case?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)I have completed the inquiry, and am unable to find any evidence to justify the institution of criminal proceedings. The body was found on January 5. Owing to the violent storm prevailing at the time, the Inspector of Police and the Deputy Procurator Fiscal representing the Procurator Fiscal, who was storm-stayed in the Island of Barra, were unable to reach the spot till the 11th. They at once made an inquiry and reported. Application was made for exhumation of the body, but the Sheriff Substitute declined to order it.