§ 65. Mr. Hubbardasked the Secretary for State for Scotland if he is taking any steps to have Mr. Douglas Young, chairman of the Scottish Nationalist Party, released from prison.
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)No, Sir. I am not a count of appeal against decisions of the law courts and I have no authority to review or override their decisions. A recommendation for the exercise of the pre- 638 rogative of mercy could only be appropriately made if there were adduced any relevant facts or circumstances not fully before the courts at the time of sentence or if there could be provided an assurance that Mr. Young is now prepared in common with other citizens to comply with directions under the National Service Act.