§ 38. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that at a public meeting held in Lockerbie on 28th September a Miss Violet Jardine, of Castlemilk, Dumfriesshire, is alleged to have attempted to create a breach of the peace by offering a reward of £10 to any individual or individuals who would drag the speaker from the platform; whether, when that failed, she is alleged to have attempted to induce children to disrupt the meeting by offering them silver; whether the matter has been reported to the chief constable of Dumfriesshire; whether that official has refused to interfere; and what steps he proposes to take to secure an inquiry into the matter?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Mr. Morison)A complaint of the nature referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question was made to the police. No evidence in support of it was produced or was obtainable. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative and the third in the affirmative. I see no reason to doubt that the chief constable took the right course.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that parties, including the individual who was the speaker at that meeting, waited upon the chief constable lo submit evidence, and that the chief constable stated that his answer was final?
§ Mr. MORISONMy hon. Friend has been misinformed. The complainer did have a meeting with one of the inspectors, and he said he did not hear the statement made himself, but he promised to produce evidence the following day. No such 792 evidence was brought by the complainer, consequently the chief constable had no evidence at all.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf evidence is supplied will the Scottish Office take action if the chief constable refuses to take action against this body?
§ Mr. MORISONThe Crown Officer is always willing to consider any evidence tendered. There was no evidence tendered in this case