§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)To ask Mr. Solicitor-General for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the conviction of two coopers in Edinburgh who were engaged in peaceful picketing in a dispute with sundry brewing firms, such men being charged under the Edinburgh Municipal Police Act, 1879, while under the Trade Dispute Acts, 1871 to 1906, they could do what they were convicted for doing; and does he propose to take any action to get such a conviction quashed.
(Answered by Mr. Thomas Shaw.) I may be allowed to answer this Question. These men were not charged with any offence under the Edinburgh Municipal Act, but with the common law offences of breach of the peace and assault in the one case and breach of the peace with threats of violence in the other. They seem in every respect to have had a full and fair trial, and had legal assistance in their defence. I have no power to get the conviction quashed.