§ MR. WEIRJ beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that Mr. Middleton, solicitor, Dingwall, who acted for Sir Arthur G. R. Mackenzie, of Ross-shire, in a salmon poaching charge heard at Dingwall on the 12th December last against John M'Lean. fisherman, and two others, was acting at the same time as County Clerk; if so, will the Government consider the desirability of restricting persons engaged as public officials in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland from acting as private law agents or factors?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)My hon. Friend is misinformed. Mr. Middleton does not hold the office of County Clerk, and he was not acting as such on I2th December. It is true that at a meeting of the County Council in January be was authorised to act as clerk during the temporary illness of the holder of the office, but under no 282 circumstances is the office one over which the Government has any control.
§ MR. WEIRasked if, when the Liberal Party was in Opposition, the Leaders did not pledge themselves that Government officials should not be allowed to engage in such prosecutions?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)replied that at that time the Liberal Party had no power to take any action in the matter. If any pledge bad been given it would undoubtedly be fulfilled, but he must repeat that the case referred to in the query was not one of a prosecution by a Government official.