HC Deb 18 July 1939 vol 350 cc176-7
39. Mr. T. Johnston

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that five young apprentice engineers were prosecuted at Dunbarton Justice of the Peace Court on 6th July, and fined 7s. 6d. each for camping on the foreshore at Glen-mallow, Loch Long; that this site has been used for many years as a camping ground; that no notice or warning of objection to the site as camping ground has been affixed nearby by the proprietors; that there is no fence or indication of boundary; and as this was these lads' first offence, he will take steps to have the fines remitted?

Mr. Colville

I am informed that 13 persons were prosecuted at this court on 6th July for camping without permission on land at Glenmallon, that in one case the charge was withdrawn, that 10 persons pled guilty and were fined 7s. 6d. or five days, and that the cases against the other two were continued until 10th August. I am obtaining a report from the justices on the cases already decided, and thereafter I will communicate further with the right hon. Member.

Mr. Johnston

In view of the fact that tremendous public feeling has been aroused by these proceedings, that 80 percent, of the young men involved were Militia men, that no notice was stuck up, that they have dug up an old Act that is 75 years old, and that no prosecution was taken while Sir Iain Colquhoun, the proprietor, was well and only when the man was stricken down were these disgraceful proceedings begun, cannot the right hon. Gentleman take some steps, in the interests of public decency, to get them stopped?

Mr. Colville

The right hon. Gentleman will not expect me to comment on the action of the magistrates until the inquiry is completed. I will bear in mind what he has said.

Mr. Maclean

Will the Secretary of State, when making a further statement on the matter, state who were the justices of the peace who formed this particular court?

Mr. Colville

I must look into the case first, and I am pursuing my inquiries.