§ Mr. CLELANDasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention had been directed to the case of Robert Simpson, sentenced to five years' penal servitude in connection with the sending of false telegrams to various newspapers; and whether he can see his way to recommend any diminution of the sentence passed?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)This case, with the facts of which I am personally familiar, has been on more than one occasion considered by the Secretary for Scotland, who has not, however, found it possible to recommend any interference with the sentence. I may refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for the College Division on 12th May last in the same sense.
§ Mr. WATTWas it not the case that this verdict depended largely upon handwriting, and has not new evidence been forthcoming since on that point?
§ Mr. URENo, Sir. It was not dependent largely upon handwriting. The convict went into the witness box and gave sworn testimony on his own behalf.