DR. CAMERONasked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is true that a guard, committed for trial on August 7th 1883, for culpable neglect of duty in connection with a collision at Perth on the 28th of the previous month, was not brought to trial till the 14th of January 1884, when he was acquitted; whether such long delay is exceptional; and, whether he will consider the possibility of making arrangements which will prevent its occurrence in future?
THE LORD ADVOCATE(Mr. J. B. BALFOUR): The case referred to is the trial of two railway servants for culpable homicide. The dates mentioned are correct. The accused were out on bail during the whole period. The delay in the trial was certainly quite exceptional. The case occurred in August, just too late to be tried at the Autumn Circuit at Perth in that month, and it was found advisable to wait for the Report of the Board of Trade, which caused the delay of a month. This Report was obtained in November, and the trial was ordered to take place before the Sheriff and jury in that month. Certain points were then raised, as I understand, as to whether their trials should not be separated, and the trial was then postponed till the Justiciary sittings in January, when the circumstances were fully explained in Court. I may add that arrangements for the expeditious trial of prisoners have been greatly improved under the present Government by the establishment of additional Circuits and otherwise.