§ 19. Mr. CURRIEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether the town clerk of Edinburgh, under date 9th May, 1912, gave expression to the opinion that tradesmen in Edinburgh were at liberty to sell fresh butter and fresh eggs on weekly half-holidays, and that the sanitary inspector in Leith, which place for such purposes is practically indistinguishable from Edinburgh, has prohibited such sales in Leith; and whether he will consider the advisability of putting an end to this difference of practice, which is regarded as operating hardship in Leith?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI am aware that an opinion to the effect mentioned has been expressed by the town clerk of Edinburgh. I understand that subsequent to the date of that opinion a prosecution against a Leith trader was taken as a test case in the Sheriff Court of Midlothian, when it was decided that eggs were not perishable articles within the meaning of the Second Schedule of the Shops Act. This decision has been taken by the local authority of Leith as ruling the case of fresh butter also. The question is one of interpretation of Statute, which it is for the Courts to decide, and I have no authority to give a binding opinion on the subject.