§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when he expects the procurator fiscal to complete his inquiries into the causes of the recent fire at the nurses' home at the Victoria hospital, Kirkcaldy; whether the procurator fiscal will be taking oral and written evidence from anyone prepared and qualified to give it; and whether such evidence will be published, along with the rest of the report.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandA full and comprehensive investigation into this tragedy is being carried out by the procurator fiscal at Kirkcaldy. As detailed and expert inquiries are still continuing, it is not possible at this stage to state accurately when the investigation will be completed. The indications are that matters will take several weeks to conclude. The investigation is being conducted with the assistance of the police. Much detailed and expert evidence has already been collected and numerous lay witnesses have been 427W interviewed, but any person who feels he has information relevant to the matter and who has not already been interviewed by the police should communicate with them or with the procurator fiscal. The report of the procurator fiscal, when completed, will not be published as the procedure does not permit that, but it will be submitted to my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate, who will decide what procedure, including the possible holding of a fatal accident inquiry, will follow.