§ 27. Sir A. SINCLAIRasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the prison doctor who was called as a witness for the Crown in the murder charge at Dumfries on the 20th December last to give a precognition to the defence until the day of the trial; and whether steps have been taken to ensure that any Crown servant called as a witness for the Crown will in future, if called upon to do so, provide the defence with a statement of the evidence which he intends to give at the trial?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe medical officer appears to have been under a misapprehension as to the meaning and effect of certain of the prison rules. I am not satisfied that these rules are expressed in terms sufficiently clear, and I am taking steps to secure that the causes of the misunderstanding which has arisen in this case may be removed in the future.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRIs it quite clear that no regulations in future will be allowed to hamper a person accused of murder in obtaining information which is relevant to the charge, and may be essential to his defence?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am dealing with the question of this particular case, and, in so far as future cases dealing with prison regulations are concerned, as I have informed the hon. and gallant 1572 Member, I propose to make it clear that there will be no further difficulty in this matter.