§ 31. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been drawn to the violent assault on Renee Houston at an Edinburgh theatre, where she was dragged from her dressing-room, forced into a waiting, motor car by Edinburgh students, that she suffers from injuries to her body and was left in a hysterical condition of collapse; whether he will take steps to ensure that the law will be set in motion against the persons responsible for this outrage?
§ The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. T. M. Cooper)Yes, Sir. I have already taken action with regard to this regrettable occurrence, two persons having been apprehended and brought before the Sheriff on Saturday, and a third on Monday. The number of persons who may be implicated directly or indirectly is considerable, and, pending completion of the police investigations now in progress, I am not in a position to decide what further action may be necessary.
§ Mr. McGOVERNWhile thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the speedy and energetic action in this case, and also appreciating the fact that students have rendered very good service in many charitable causes, I should like to ask him whether he will assure the public that the police authorities in future will be instructed to see that persons are 1514 not embarrassed, molested, insulted or assaulted when they are either without the means, or have not the inclination, to contribute to funds in the way that has been done in the public streets of our cities in recent times?
§ Mr. DENVILLEMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is considered satisfactory that, in a case of this sort, the accused should be offered a £5 bail, and whether he is also aware that in any other country but this, kidnappers would be taken to the nearest lamp-post and strung up?