Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention had been called to the fact that at the central police court, Glasgow, on Saturday, 15th July, John Carmichael, a member of the 1451 National Sailors' and Firemen's Union, was found guilty of an assault upon Police-Lieutenant Crawford, and that the stipendiary refused to pass sentence till 12th August; and whether, in view of the hardship involved by this delay, whereby the man was prevented from pursuing his avocation at sea, he would take steps to secure that the sentence was imposed at once?
§ Mr. BARNEShad also given notice of the following question:—To ask the Lord Advocate if his attention has been directed to the case of John Cruikshank, who, in connection with the existing labour dispute in Glasgow, has been found guilty of assault on Police-Lieutenant Crawford and upon whom the stipendiary has refused to pass sentence till 12th August; if he is aware that Cruickshank desires to go to sea, and that the holding over of his case deprives him of the opportunity of earning his living; and if he can have the sentence declared at once or, otherwise, deferred till a later date?
§ Mr. UREI have made inquiry into the cases referred to in these two questions, but I have no authority to direct the stipendiary in a matter of procedure of this nature. I may, however, observe that in the circumstances stated it is open to Carmichael to apply to the stipendiary for a continuation of the case during his absence at sea.