§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. John Maclay)With permission, Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a short statement on the case of John Waters.
Now that both Houses of Parliament have passed the necessary Resolutions for the setting up of a Tribunal under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 549 1921, I have appointed the Tribunal and I am informing the House of its composition at the earliest opportunity.
The House will be glad to know that Lord Sorn has consented to act as Chairman, and that Sir James Robertson, Rector of Aberdeen Grammar School, and Mr. J. N. Dandie, President of the Law Society of Scotland, have consented to serve as members of the Tribunal.
Any communication on the subject of the inquiry which is being undertaken should be addressed to the Secretary of the Tribunal, c/o the Principal Clerk of Session, Court of Session, 11, Parliament Square, Edinburgh.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us anything about the arrangements that may have been made or are contemplated for legal representation? There has been a statement in the newspapers that the police officers concerned will have counsel assigned to them, without any expense to them, and I am sure that the whole House would not complain about that in any way. May I ask him whether the representatives of the boy will be given equal facilities at the public expense?
§ Mr. MaclayI understand that the police authority is prepared to arrange for representation of the two police officers before the Tribunal. As far as the Waters family is concerned, if this question is raised by them I will most certainly consider it sympathetically.