§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether his, attention has been called to the recent conviction in the Dundee Sheriff Court of a number of men for failing or refusing to have their children vaccinated, and to the fact that accused pleaded conscientious objections, and on conviction preferred to go to prison rather than pay the fines imposed; whether similar cases have occurred in other parts of Scotland; and whether, having regard to the difference now existing between the laws of England and Scotland on this matter, and to the dissatisfaction created thereby, the Government will consider the question of the assimilation of the laws of the two countries on this matter.
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. A. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)I have seen a report of the Dundee case referred to, and I am aware of similar cases in Aberdeen and Kirkcaldy. I believe such cases, however, to be very few. In the six convictions at Dundee referred to five went to prison and one paid the fine. One of the five paid the fine pro tanto after a detention of one day. I have reason to believe that there is a great preponderance of opinion in Scotland in favour of the existing law, and the Government do not propose to consider the question of assimilating the Scottish to the English law.