§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Solicitor-General (1) if evidence presented to Lord Cullen' s Inquiry into the Paddington disaster will be submissible as evidence in any subsequent criminal prosecution; [108127]
(2) if persons presenting evidence to Lord Cullen's Inquiry into the Paddington disaster will be immune from any subsequent criminal prosecution. [108126]
The Solicitor-GeneralNo person has been given immunity from prosecution in connection with the Paddington disaster. Witnesses to the inquiry have been given an undertaking authorised by the Attorney General, 753W to the effect that evidence, written statements and documents produced by them to the inquiry will not be used in evidence against them in any criminal proceedings, except in limited circumstances. This will not, however, prevent a prosecution based on material other than that provided to the Inquiry. The undertaking was provided because it was certain that without it potential witnesses would be inhibited from providing Lord Cullen with full assistance. It was important that everything reasonably possible was done to enable the inquiry to begin its work immediately and to ensure that it would be fully effective, so that it can establish and publish the truth about the circumstances which led to the tragic rail crash.