§ 30. Mr. CURRIEasked the Home Secretary whether a railway servant is at present in custody awaiting trial in connec- 1944 tion with the Gretna railway disaster; whether the offence with which he is charged was committed in Scotland or in England; whether, in the event of the offence having been committed in Scotland, it is proposed to hold his trial in England and, if so, why; and whether the trial is to take place at Cumberland Assizes?
§ Sir J. SIMONThree persons are awaiting trial in Scotland in connection with this disaster but they are all admitted to bail- The disaster took place in Scotland, but owing to the deaths of some of the injured passengers in England the same accused persons were committed for trial to the Cumberland Assizes as the result of the verdict of a coroner's jury at an inquest held at Caulicle. I understand that all the accused will be tried in Scotland at an early date, in which event steps will be taken with a view to the abandonment of any criminal proceedings which may be pending in England.