§ MR. C. B. RENSHAW (Renfrew, W.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that a large crowd attended a cock-fight, in which nine mains were fought, within a field near Bishopston, in the county of Renfrew, on Tuesday of last week; whether he is aware that, in consequence of a decision given in the High Court of Justiciary in 1892, it is impossible for the county authorities to interfere and prevent these exhibitions; whether it is the case that, in England, cock-fighting is illegal; and whether the Government will take steps to so amend the law of 1736 Scotland in regard to cock-fighting as to prevent future exhibitions of this kind?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan and Kinross)The matter referred to in the question has been officially brought under my notice. I believe that, as the law at present stands, county authorities in Scotland cannot prevent cock-fighting. It is the case that cock fighting has been held to be illegal in England, and the Government propose at once to introduce a Bill for the purpose of making it illegal in Scotland. I hope we may rely on the support of hon. Members in all parts of the House in passing the measure speedily into law.