§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary for Scotland whether a petition was on 19th August sent to his Department, praying for the release of Lieutenant Cameron, who is undergoing punishment in connection with the Edinburgh necklace case; whether any and, if so, what answer was sent to the petitioners; and whether he proposes to advise any clemency in this case in view of the facts that Cameron's wife has herself pleaded guilty to the charge, and has entirely exonerated her husband from any complicity in the transaction, and that Cameron's fellow officers in his regiment testified to his undoubted character previous to this charge?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe petition in question was duly received in my Department, and a reply was sent to the effect that the Secretary for Scotland had given it his careful consideration but regretted he was unable to advise compliance with its prayer. This reply represents my present view of the case.