Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 June 1964.
Mr Michael Hutchison
, Edinburgh South
12:00,
17 June 1964
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prosecutions there have been for offences under the Deer (Scotland) Act, 1959.
Mr Michael Noble
, Argyll
From the time the Act came into operation until the end of December last, proceedings have been taken against 76 persons.
Mr Michael Hutchison
, Edinburgh South
Does my right hon. Friend consider that the Act is working satisfactorily and that we now have the measure of these cruel cowardly games?
Mr Michael Noble
, Argyll
It is fairly satisfactory that of the 76 persons against whom proceedings have been taken, 65 have been fined. The numbers have probably decreased since the passing of the Act. I do not think that it can be criticised on the ground that more cases have not been brought. It looks as though the Act has achieved its purpose.
Mr Archibald Manuel
, Central Ayrshire
How many of the prosecutions were against crofters who were trying to protect their holdings?
Mr Michael Noble
, Argyll
I have no information on that point.
Mr Jon Rankin
, Glasgow Govan
Can the Secretary of State give an idea of the nature of some of the offences for which prosecutions were instituted?
Mr Michael Noble
, Argyll
If the hon. Member would like full details, I will try to get them for him, but I cannot give him the answer without notice.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
