HC Deb 16 July 1889 vol 338 cc519-20
DR. CAMEEON (Glasgow, College)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to a statement in the Scottish Highlander to the effect that Sir John Orde has not only deprived Mr. Thomas Wilson, a solicitor, who had refused to act for him in certain proceedings against his tenantry, of his house at Lochmaddy, but "warned all the tenants about Lochmaddy that they must not give lodgings," thus driving him from the district in which he had established a practice; and, whether any Law against boycotting or exclusive dealing exists in Scotland; and, if so, whether he will instruct the Criminal Authorities to inquire into the facts alleged in Mr. Wilson's case with a view, if they prove well-founded, of instituting criminal proceedings?

* THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. Robertson,) Bute

I have seen the statement in the Scottish Highlander referred to. I am informed that in October, 1888, Sir John Orde intimated to the tenant of the house which Mr. Wilson occupied that he required to resume possession of the house at Whitsunday. I am further informed that for many years Sir John Orde has objected to his tenants keeping lodgers, and, probably, this has made it a matter of some difficulty for Mr. Wilson to find accommodation. I am not aware that he has been driven from the district. As a matter of fact, he was resident on the island a few weeks ago. If Mr. Wilson has any complaint to make, in- volving a criminal charge, he should inform the Procurator Fiscal, who will make inquiry and proceed if a charge is substantiated.

DR. CAMERON

The right hon. and learned Gentleman has not answered the last part of the question.

* MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSON

That involves an abstract question of law, which I am not prepared at this moment to enter into. I have answered the question, which I understood to relate to a specific case.