§ Mr. MARTINasked the Secretary for Scotland on what date a criminal warrant was applied for and by whom for the arrest of John Ayling, recently released from prison after serving less than half of his ten years' sentence for forgery; was Ayling a partner in the firm of Messrs. J. and A. Constable and, if so, when did he cease to be so; was Ayling's estate sequestrated and, if so, on what date; and was Ayling released from prison on account of any doubt raised as to his proper conviction on the evidence educed at the trial?
The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. McKinnon Wood)The warrant was applied for by the Procurator-Fiscal on 28th October, 1907. I am informed that the person mentioned had been a partner in the firm of T. and A. Constable, but had ceased to be so shortly before the above date, and that his estate was sequestrated on 1st November, 1907. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him last Monday.