§ MR. ANSTRUTHER (St. Andrew's, &c.)asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the fact that the Commissioners of Supply of the County of Fife, and the Town Council of Cupar, and those of other neighbouring burghs, have petitioned the Secretary for Scotland against the Order of the Prison Commissioners for Scotland closing the county prison in Cupar on and after the 31st of March; and, whether, in view of these strong protests by the Local Authorities against the proposal of the Prison Commissioners, Her Majesty's Government will consent to postpone the operation of this Order, as regards Cupar Prison, until an opportunity has arisen to raise the question in this House?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)The Secretary for Scotland, after careful consideration of the Petition of the Local Authorities, is unable, in the interests of the Public Service, to alter the decision he has come to.