§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Lord Advocate if he is aware that, prior to the recent licensing courts held in Airdrie, the chief constable of Airdrie visited, or caused to be visited, certain public-houses, and on such visitation demanded to see the permit-books of the licensees; that the object of this demand was to secure evidence to lay before the licensing court that the public-houses in question were not paying; that it was stated at the said licensing court that, as a result of these inquiries by the chief constable, certain public-houses were not required; and that at least four of the public-houses, the licensees of which were so asked to exhibit their permit-books, were refused renewal of their certificates on the strength of the information so obtained; whether any public official other than the Inland Revenue officer has any authority to make such a demand; and what action he proposes to take in view of the conduct of the chief constable of Airdrie and in view of the consequences of that conduct?
§ Mr. UREI am, informed that no demand to see the permit books was made, but merely a request for information in response to which the permit books were frankly produced and the information given except in a single case. I understand that the court refused to renew certain certificates, but I am not in a 1975W position to state the grounds upon which they came to their decisions in any individual case. On the information before me I see no reason for taking any action in the matter.