§ 73. Mr. CURRIEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the recent criminal prosecution, lasting for several days in the Edinburgh High Court, of the officials of a 886 railway company; whether he is aware that the sum of money at stake was 19s. 2d. and that the costs of the trial, which engaged the attention of the Lord President of the Court of Session, six counsel, and several naval officers of high rank, are estimated at about £2,000; whether the case for the prosecution broke down on every single point; whether the whole costs now fall to be paid by the taxpayers of the country; whether he is aware that the parties prosecuted have received the thanks of the Government for their services in connection with the mobilisation of troops; and whether his Department has any power to prevent such actions in Scotland?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The case was not one in which my Department was concerned, and I have no knowledge of the facts which would enable me to reply to the various points raised in the rest of the question.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this case was instituted at the dictation of the admiral in question?