§ MR. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 17 If it be correct, as stated in the "Glasgow Herald" of the 7th instant, that the convicted criminals Potter and Stronach, of the City of Glasgow Bank, came from Perth prison to Glasgow in their ordinary dress on Tuesday the 6th instant; if it be common to treat witnesses who are criminals in this manner; if it be correct that he was applied to to allow them to appear in public in this form; and, if he granted them such a privilege, what were the circumstances which induced him to do so?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, I have granted no privilege, and the prison has granted no privilege, and no application has been made either to one or the other. This has always been the custom in the General Prison at Perth to take prisoners, if possible, in their own dress, and not in the prison dress. That has not been the practice in other prisons in Scotland, but it has always been so at the Perth Prison.
§ MR. MACDONALDHas it been the practice anywhere in England?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSNo. The hon. Gentleman will remember that the General Prison at Perth has for a long time been in a peculiar position, and it has always been the practice there, and that practice has not hitherto been changed. It has not been the practice anywhere else that I am aware of.