54. Mr. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the copy sent to him of the circular issued by the chief election agent of the Progressive party of Glasgow urging the use of intensified rumour during the municipal elections in Glasgow; and, if so, will he make inquiry as to the legality of such a practice in Scottish municipal politics?
Mr. WedderburnNo, Sir. Any question as to the legality of any practice in any election could only be determined by the courts.
Mr. DavidsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that prominent Glasgow newspapers of all shades of political opinion and prominent Glasgow citizens have deprecated this innovation in municipal politics; and will the Scottish Office make it clear that they, too, deprecate this filthy innovation in Glasgow municipal politics?
§ Mr. T. JohnstonCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the facilities for dealing with criminal libel are the same in Scotland as in England; and if this amounts to criminal libel, can we have an assurance that the Lord Advocate will deal with the matter?
Mr. WedderburnI have no knowledge at all of any of the rumours which are referred to, and I cannot say whether they are illegal. The election law is governed in the case of municipal elections by the Act of 1890, and I find it. 543 hard enough to keep pace with rumours in Parliamentary elections without having to follow rumours in municipal elections.
§ Mr. JohnstonI am not asking the hon. Gentleman to express an opinion in the matter, but whether, if a propaganda organised rumour should amount to a criminal libel, we can have an undertaking that the Lord Advocate will take the matter into consideration?
Mr. WedderburnAny question of criminal libel would be one that would have to be brought before the courts.