§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that two men were recently prosecuted at the instance of the Procurator Fiscal for being in a boat on the sea at Loch Shieldaig, Rossshire, on the 14th and 21st May, with intent illegally to take or kill salmon, and that, although no fish were found in their possession, each man was fined 30s.; and, seeing that the Honourable 80 Mr. Murray, of Lochcarron, the proprietor of the land ex adverso the sea at Loch Shieldaig was the only person interested, will he take such steps as may be necessary to prevent a Crown officer instituting proceedings of this character out of public funds in the sole interest of a private individual.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR,) ForfarshireI understand the facts are substantially as stated by my hon. friend. It is in accordance with practice that the Procurator Fiscal should prosecute in cases of this nature, provided the expenses of the prosecution are defrayed by the parties interested. The expenses of the prosecution in question were defrayed by the District Fishery Board.