§ 38. Mr. BARNESasked the Secretary for Scotland if he has any power to have inquiry made openly into the case of Jessie 211 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. BARNESHas any representation been made to the Glasgow authorities that they might make special inquiry?
§ Mr. WEDGWOODDo they refuse to hold any public inquiry whatever?
§ Mr. UREThere has been a private inquiry, hut there is no power to have a public inquiry as desired.
§ Mr. HUNTIs 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. UREIt was not a conviction but an admonition, and there are no allegations now against the lady.
§ Mr. HUNTIs not the record there still, and should it not be removed? Is not that what Miss Brown is trying to get done?
§ Mr. BARNESWill 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. WEDGWOODWas she called at the secret inquiry at all?
§ Mr. G. GREENWOODMay I ask whether some procedure could not be adopted to allay the anxiety—
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members had better give notice of any further questions.