§ MR. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether he is aware that, as stated in The Greenock Telegraph of 11th instant, a police constable named Innes, at Prince's Pier, Greenock, on 21st July, struck a boy severely with a cane; whether a citizen named John McGiveran, on remonstrating with the policeman, was assailed by him in insulting and abusive language, assaulted, and placed under arrest; whether it has come to his knowledge that Captain Angus, Superintendent of Police, has refused to give the assaulted parties any redress, or to allow their cases to enter the Police Court, although their statements were substantiated by several respectable witnesses; and, whether he will institute an inquiry into the whole of the circumstances?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The police constable in question did, while clearing away a number of boys from the gangway of a steamer, strike some of them with a cane. He did not do so severely; and the boy who was alleged to have been severely struck had no mark on him when examined on the same day by the Chief Constable. Some angry words passed between John McGiveran and the constable on McGiveran's interfering with him; and the constable arrested him and led him away about 100 yards, but did not take him further. The whole matter was reported by the Chief Constable to the burgh. Procurator Fiscal, who did not consider that there was any ground for a criminal charge; and the Chief Constable thought unnecessary to deal with the matter as one of police discipline any further, as the constable was leaving the force, at any rate, in a few days. I have seen the evidence taken, which is conflicting, and concur that a prosecution is not called for; but if any criminal charge is made, and further information tendered, it shall be fully considered.