§ MR. ANDERSONI wish to be allowed to ask the Lord Advocate a Question of which I have given him private Notice. It is, Whether his attention has been called to the circumstance that The Scotsman newspaper of Saturday last not only announced the names of the Royal Commissioners on the Crofter question, but stated also that these names would be announced to the House on Monday? I would ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, if it is altogether a respectful thing to the House that a newspaper should be allowed to announce this, and to say that the House will get it by-and-bye on a certain day? I would also like to ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman, if he cannot make some arrangement in his Office by which official secrets of that kind shall he prevented from being announced by a newspaper before they are announced to Members in the ordinary way?
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)I did observe that announcement; but I have no idea whence the information was derived. I am not aware of it.
§ MR. ANDERSONI do not think the reply of my right hon. and learned Friend to my Question is quite sufficient. I would like to know if he will endeavour to find out how the information was procured; and, if he will take steps to prevent such official secrets leaking out from his Office in future?