§ MR. BAIRD (Glasgow, Central)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that John M'Clure, broker, 5, North Street, Glasgow, was summoned to the Western Police Court for the 21st June, charged with having, on the 13th June, in his shop, resetted a paint brush, the same having been appropriated by theft, with the result that by order of the Procurator Fiscal the charge was withdrawn; whether, on the 22nd June, 667 M'Clure was sent for by a police officer and ordered to proceed to the Western Police Office, and there asked questions as to his age, height, colour of his hair, and place of birth; and, if the above is correct, by whose orders the charge of reset was made against M'Clure; by whose orders the charge, which was not read in Court, was given to the newspapers; and by whose orders M'Clure was sent for and examined in the police office?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan, &c.)The facts stated in the first two paragraphs of the question are correct. The charge of reset was made by the Superintendent of Police; but as the evidence was deemed insufficient to support it, the Fiscal instructed that it should be withdrawn. The charge had been entered in the police books in the usual way, and the public, including reporters, have access to these books. I am informed that the police gave no information to the reporters in regard to the charge. It is the duty of the police to obtain and record a description of accused persons appearing in the Police Court; but as this had been omitted on the 21st June, the officer responsible for its execution sent for M'Clure next day. As I understand that the circumstances attending the case are under the consideration of the Chief Constable, with a view to making a Report to the Magistrates, it is probably better that I should say nothing further in regard to the matter at present.