§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his attention has been called to the trial in the Glasgow sheriff court, on Tuesday, 23rd May, of a woman, stated to be an Austrian, for an offence in connection with the registration of aliens; whether he will state the circumstances in which this case was heard in camera; whether his Department issued any request to this effect to the court; whether he has seen a statement authorised by the court for publication with reference to the result of the case; whether this statement was prepared after consultation with his Department, or whether it was settled by the court; whether the Press were present; and, if not, whether they were excluded by order of his Department?
§ The Lord AdvocateMy attention has been called to this case. A plea of guilty to a contravention of the Aliens Restriction Order was tendered in open court, the Press being present. The question having then been raised as to whether the Court should recommend that a deportation order should be made, the Procurator Fiscal represented to the Court that it was not desirable in the public interest that this matter should be debated in open Court, and the Sheriff agreed to hear the application in chambers, which was done. I am unaware of any statement having been authorised for publication either by the Court or by any Department. I am investigating the matter further, and I shall communicate with my hon. and learned Friend as soon as I am in a position to answer a further question.