§ 88. Mr. GALLACHERasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will grant the immediate release of a young Greenock mother whose children require her personal care and who, with her brother, was sentenced, in Greenock Sheriffs Court on Monday, 16th March, to 30 days' imprisonment on a charge of aiding a younger brother to join. the Cameron Highlanders while on leave from an approved school to which he had been sent by a juvenile court?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. T. M. Cooper)My right hon. Friend is making inquiries into this case and will communicate his decision to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GALLACHERIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this woman has never been in trouble before, and that she has a baby eight months old needing attention, and that it is an urgent necessity that this mother should be able to care for her baby?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEThose are facts into which inquiry is being made, and as soon as the report is received the matter will be given attention.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn view of the urgency of the matter, and having regard to the fact that the parties were not legally represented in court, will he take steps to hurry matters more than the Scottish Office often does?
§ The LORD ADVOCATEI understand that attention was first drawn to this matter less than 48 hours ago, and I can assure the hon. Member that no time will be lost.