DR. CAMERONI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the fact that at the trial of 12 Lewis cottars, under the Trespass Act, for raids upon Orinsay and Stimrenay, the prosecuting Procurator Fiscal was Mr. John Ross, the private agent of Lady Matheson, pro-prietrix, and Mr. J. Martin, tenant, of the localities in respect of which the trespass was charged; and whether, considering the repeated declarations of Scottish Law Officers in this House as to the undesirability of Public Prosecutors, where it can be avoided, being allowed to engage in private practice, he will direct regular Procurator Fiscal Mr. William Ross to act personally in any other cases arising out of the recent raids?
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONI understand that Mr. John Ross, Depute Fiscal, conducted the prosecution in question, in the absence of Mr. William Ross, the Procurator Fiscal, who was engaged in other official duties. Lady Matheson's interest in the matter of the recent trespasses are being attended to by an Edinburgh solicitor unconnected with the Fissal's firm, and not by Mr. John Ross. I have no doubt that the Procurator Fiscal will endeavour to take any remaining cases of this nature where this is possible. I entirely adhere to the Ministerial declarations referred to by the hon. Gentleman in regard to new appointments of Procurators Fiscal.