§ MR. FRASER-MACKINTOSHI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that many heads of families in the Highlands and Islands are obliged to leave their homes for the Lowlands in pursuit of work, remaining absent for months at a time; whether School Boards have hitherto, and with 879 beneficial results, prosecuted, when necessary, the mother, or the temporary head of the household, for default in sending children to school; whether he is aware that it has lately been decided in the Supreme Courts of Scotland that the father, wherever he may be resident, is alone responsible for such default; and whether he will give legislative effect to the representations of various school boards who desire ready recourse for defaults in school attendance?
§ * SIR C. J. PEARSONThe answer to the two first paragraphs of the question is in the affirmative. I have not had an opportunity of seeing the decision referred to, but I understand the Court held that, on the facts before them, the father had the actual custody of his children, and I am not aware that the decision went further. I have no reason to believe that a desire for a change in the law is widely felt; and it appears inexpedient to extend the definition of "parent" merely because the Court has held in a particular case that the responsibility rested with the father.