§ 37. Mr. McGovernasked the Lord Advocate whether an arrest has been made in the case of the Indian seaman, Mr. Toslian Khan, who was found lying outside a hostel in Greenhead Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow, on 27th April, 1949, with his head and face battered and who died a few hours later.
§ The Lord Advocate (Mr. John Wheatley)No, Sir. Following upon a full investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Toslim Khan, the case was considered by my Department. There was no evidence to warrant criminal proceedings, and instructions were issued accordingly.
§ Mr. McGovernIs it not the case that this death was regarded as a murder?
§ The Lord AdvocateNo, Sir.
§ Mr. McGovernCan my right hon. and learned Friend be more explicit and tell us what was the conclusion in regard to this case?
§ The Lord AdvocateIt is not usual for explanations to be given about the exercise of the discretion of Crown Counsel in these cases, but in the particular circumstances I am prepared to tell the House that the conclusion reached was that this death was an accident.
§ Mr. McGovern rose—
§ Mr. SpeakerWe cannot go on with this. We have had three questions already.
§ Mr. McGovernOn a point of order. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter again.
§ The Lord AdvocateFurther to that point of order. Could we have a ruling, Mr. Speaker, whether it is proper for a Member to raise as a point of order the unsatisfactory nature of a reply when the reply given was a direct answer to the question which was asked?
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot judge that. That must rest with the hon. Member himself. What may appear to one hon. Member to be a satisfactory reply may be unsatisfactory to someone else. I cannot rule on that as a point of order.