HC Deb 25 May 1905 vol 146 c1398
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Lord-Advocate whether he will issue a-monthly Parliamentary Return setting forth the number of offences reported to the police in agrarian districts in Scotland, classifying the various offences, and the number under every head in every county.

THE LORD-ADVOCATE (Mr. SCOTT DICKSON, Glasgow, Bridgton)

I refer the hon. Member to the Return given every year in the Report on the Judicial Statistics for Scotland. I am not prepared to give him any other Return.

MR. MACVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a benevolent Government gives these Returns for Ireland? Will he not let us know in the same way the amount of crime committed in Scotland?

MR. SCOTT DICKSON

I am glad to hear the hon. Member is so well off under the Irish Government. The information is contained in the Return I have referred to.

MR. MACVEAGH

But as we are so much interested in the matter, cannot the right hon. Gentleman keep the information up to date? We get it quarterly in Ireland.

MR. SCOTT DICKSON

We think once a year sufficient for ordinary purposes.

MR. MACVEAGH

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will send a copy of that Answer to the right hon. Gentleman the Chief Secretary for Ireland.