§ 42. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Lord Advocate if he will pay an official visit to Glasgow.
§ The Lord AdvocateI have no immediate plans to pay an official visit to Glasgow.
§ Mr. TaylorHas the Lord Advocate studied the reports of the tragic deaths of the Oswald family in my constituency? In view of the widespread suggestions that gas conversion may be linked in some way with these tragic deaths, does not he agree that there would be a case, which he alone can authorise, for a fatal accident inquiry, and, depending upon the results of that, possibly a public inquiry into the general implications of this tragedy?
§ The Lord AdvocateIt is true that the heating system in question was recently converted to the use of natural gas, that is, North Sea gas. As hon. Members will know, it is a regrettable fact that a police constable in the Strathclyde Police Force, Mr. Oswald, and his twin sons died in their home at Netherlee in Glasgow on 8th November 1975. A post mortem examination has shown that the cause of death in each case was carbon monoxide poisoning. Investigations are continuing. It would be premature to speculate on the exact cause of this unfortunate disaster, but I can state that I propose to direct that a fatal accident inquiry be held as soon as possible.