§ Mr. Soleyasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what is the average length of time which elapses between the occurrence of an unlawful or unnatural death in Scotland and the opening of a fatal accident inquiry into that death.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandNo statistics are kept regarding the time between death and a fatal accident inquiry. In some cases, where an inquiry is mandatory and the facts are quickly ascertained, a public inquiry takes place very soon after death. In other cases, equipment, materials and the like may have to be tested and this can delay considerably the holding of a public inquiry. Likewise, where a fatal accident inquiry is held only because the Lord Advocate considers it expedient in the public interest to have one, there may be a delay in ascertaining the extent of public concern.