§ COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if the Secretary for Scotland will take precautions to prevent potatoes grown outside of Scotland, and imported into Scotland, being sold as Scotch seed to Irish Unions, or to contractors for Irish Unions?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. P. B. ROBERTSON, Bute)I am not aware that means are available to the Secretary for Scotland for effectively taking such precautions as seem to be indicated in the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman. On the other hand, it is quite clear that such a transaction as he describes is a fraud on the purchasers, injurious both to the poor in Ireland and to the dealers in genuine Scotch seed. Should information be given to the criminal authorities in Scotland of any specific case of such fraud occurring in Scotland, that information will receive due consideration, and should the facts be found to come within the legitimate scope of the Criminal Law, there will be every disposition on the part of the Scotch Authorities to aid in repressing this shabby and reprehensible practice.
§ COLONEL NOLANWill the right hon. Gentleman instruct the police in Scotland to take action in the event of a breach of the law?
§ MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONThe hon. and gallant Member may rely upon it that every precaution will be taken.