HC Deb 02 July 1986 vol 100 cc1004-5
35. Mr. Lambie

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he is now in a position to pay a visit to the procurator fiscal's office in Kilmarnock.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I intend to visit the procurator fiscal at Kilmarnock over the summer.

Mr. Lambie

Is the Solicitor-General aware that when I drew the Lord Advocate's attention to the case of Mr. Chris Walker, who had been sacked by Irvine development corporation, he suggested that the case was more suitable for consideration by an industrial tribunal. That was in April 1985. Is the Solicitor-General futher aware that in April 1986 an industrial tribunal in Glasgow found that Mr. Walker had been unfairly dismissed? In view of the serious issues involved in the evidence and submissions to that tribunal, is the procurator fiscal or the Lord Advocate now prepared to look at all the issues involved, including private work, the placing of contracts, and the part played by individuals and companies in the affairs of Irvine development corporation?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate wrote to him about the matter last year and indicated at that time, ex acie, that the matters appeared to reveal no criminality on the part of any individual. However, if, following the appeal to the industrial tribunal, the hon. Gentleman or anyone else feels that there are matters of criminality that require further investigation, I should be grateful if he would let me know. I will undertake to see that they are looked into.

Mr. Bill Walker

When my hon. and learned Friend visits the procurator fiscal at Kilmarnock, will he advise him of the Crown Office's determination to ensure that the procurator fiscal service is staffed by men and women of the highest calibre, and inform him that the Crown Office is confident of their future integrity?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. I should be glad to pass on that point. However, I should have thought that there was still considerable confidence among hon. Members on both sides of the House in the independence of the procurator fiscal system in Scotland.