§ MR. PRESTON BRUCE (Fifeshire, W.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether his attention has been called to an alleged breach of the Truck Acts by the Dunfermline Coal Company in February last; whether the complaint set forth a primâ facie case of breach of these Acts, such as would lead to a conviction if the facts were proved; and, whether he will communicate with the Procurator Fiscal, with a view to a reconsideration of his refusal to institute proceedings in reference thereto?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)My attention has been called to this question, and I have made some inquiry, from which it appears that the Procurator Fiscal did not consider there was a primâ facie case made out on the information which was laid before him; and I am informed that, the case being a difficult one, he consulted the Sheriff Substitute, who agreed with this view, and thought he should not interfere. It appears to be a question of some doubt and intricacy; and I shall go into the matter more fully, and consider whether proceedings should not be instituted.