§ MR. SEXTON (for Mr. BIGGAR)asked the Lord Advocate, If his attention has been called to the following paragraph from the daily newspapers:—
A daring outrage was committed at Braehead, near Dunfermline, about midnight on Sunday. While Thomas Nickol, coachman at Lassadie House, and his wife and family were sitting at the fireside they were startled by a terrific noise, and on going to the door they found at a little distance from the window of the room in which they had been sitting a flask, about five inches in length by three inches in diameter, which had evidently been filled with some explosive substance and a lighted fusee applied to it. It is presumed that the perpetrators of the outrage must have thrown the flask with the intention that it should pass through the window; but, fortunately, it struck 13 against the sash, and fell on the outside as it exploded. It is believed that the act was prompted by a feeling of revenge towards Mr. Nickol for evidence which he gave in court lately against some poachers in the district;and, if any arrests have been made; and, if not, whether the Government intend to apply for additional powers for the better protection of life and property in Scotland?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. M'LAREN)Sir, the Executive in Scotland have sufficient power to deal with any agitation that may arise. But, as long as the land agitation in Scotland is in the hands of two hon. Gentlemen opposite, who lately addressed meetings in Edinburgh and Glasgow, I am confident that it will not be necessary to put those powers into execution. The matter referred to in the Question had no connection with any agrarian movement, and it is undergoing investigation by the authorities.