§ SIR DONALD MACFARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the case of Richard Parkman, who was the subject of a violent assault committed by one Donald Fletcher, of 1528 Tobermory, on the 29th of January last; whether he is aware that Parkman, in consequence of this assault, was confined to bed for several days under medical treatment; whether Parkman lodged a charge with the inspector of police, who reported the case to Mr. Sproat, the procurator fiscal; and if he can state why that official has not prosecuted Fletcher?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR, Clackmannan and Kinross)My attention has been called to the case referred to by my hon. Friend, and I have caused inquiry to be made. I am informed that the case was not reported to Mr. Sproat, the procurator fiscal, as that official does not take up burgh cases, except where a sentence of more than sixty days' imprisonment might be pronounced. The case was, however, reported to the burgh fiscal, and I am informed that the reason why no proceedings were taken was—that it appeared from the evidence of the witnesses that Parkman was the aggressor. I understand that Parkman, having got a black eye in the scuffle, confined himself to his house for three or four days.