§ Sir J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether it is the practice of sheriffs sub- 282 stitute, holding inquiries under the Fatal Accidents Inquiry (Scotland) Act, 1895 (58 and 59 Vic., c. 36), to direct the juries not to state in their verdicts whether any person is blameable for the death under inquiry, but only the fact, e.g., if a man has been run over by a. railway train, or has fallen into a pit, which may be self-evident; and whether such practice has been directed by the Crown authorities in Scotland?
MR. GRAHAM MURRAYThe general practice is not as here stated. I am, aware that in certain instances suck directions have been given. No such hard and fast line is, in my opinion, as I have said on former occasions, drawn by the Act of Parliament, which, without imposing any necessary duty on juries to find culpability in any individual, leaves it open to them to do so if they choose.