§ 26. Mr. Stephen (for Mr. McGovern)asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the recent statement in the annual report of the chief constable for Dumbartonshire, in which he claims that the murderer of Mr. Donald, the bank teller, is known to him; and if he can state the reason for his failure to prosecute this individual if he was an inmate of a lunatic asylum who had escaped at the time of the murder?
§ The Lord Advocate (Mr. T. M. Cooper)My attention has been drawn to this statement. The Crown authorities have never been in possession of evidence justifying a prosecution on this charge. The assumption underlying the latter part of the question is unfounded.
§ Mr. BarrIs it not the case that the reason why they are not prosecuting is that they cannot prosecute a dead man?