§ 60. Mr. KENNEDYasked the Lord Advocate whether he has considered the complaint of Mr. T. S. Taylor, Milton Cottage, Burntisland, regarding the treatment he received and the accounts rendered for that treatment in the Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick, from 22nd June to 29th July, 1933; whether he can state the amount of money charged and recovered by the hospital authority; whether it is proposed to take any action regarding the charge of perjury and falsification of evidence advanced by Mr. Taylor against the surgeon and matron of the Gilbert Bain Hospital; and whether, in view of the fact that this charge has recently been publicly repeated and ignored, independent inquiry can now be made in order to ascertain the facts relating to Mr. Taylor's treatment in hospital?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThe answer to the first part of the right hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. A civil action at the instance of the hospital authorities against Mr. Taylor was decided in their favour by the Sheriff Substitute at Cupar-Fife, and this decision was adhered to on appeal to the Sheriff Principal. I am unable to say how much has been recovered under this decree. As I informed the right hon. Member in my letter of 7th December last, the complaint of alleged perjury has been investigated fully both by my predecessor and myself and no justification whatever for proceedings has been discovered. I see no need for any further inquiry on this point, and my right hon. Friend has no power to review the decision of the civil courts.