HC Deb 08 July 1913 vol 55 cc210-1
38. Mr. BARNES

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he has any power to have inquiry made openly into the case of Jessie Brown, so that the allegations made for and against her may be threshed out in the presence of both sides and evidence taken on oath subject to cross examination?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure, for the Secretary for Scotland)

No, Sir, I know of no power under which I could order such an inquiry as is suggested by my hon. Friend.

Mr. BARNES

Has any representation been made to the Glasgow authorities that they might make special inquiry?

Mr. URE

Yes, more than once.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Do they refuse to hold any public inquiry whatever?

Mr. URE

There has been a private inquiry, hut there is no power to have a public inquiry as desired.

Mr. HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conviction against this woman was reversed on appeal, and the two policemen who secured the conviction have since been convicted of serious offences, and that Miss Brown is totally unable to get the conviction erased from the record; and is it the right hon. Gentleman's idea of justice to women?

Mr. URE

It was not a conviction but an admonition, and there are no allegations now against the lady.

Mr. HUNT

Is not the record there still, and should it not be removed? Is not that what Miss Brown is trying to get done?

Mr. URE

No; she desired to have the conviction quashed, and it was quashed.

Mr. BARNES

Will the Lord Advocate see that the further allegations made against this woman which have arisen from the secret inquiry is made known to her and her friends?

Mr. URE

I know of no allegations made against the woman.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Was she called at the secret inquiry at all?

Mr. URE

No.

Mr. G. GREENWOOD

May I ask whether some procedure could not be adopted to allay the anxiety—

Mr. SPEAKER

Hon. Members had better give notice of any further questions.