§ Mr. MacKenzieasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland when he expects to receive reports on the cause of the explosion and subsequent loss of life which occurred recently in the Bankhead area of Rutherglen; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that these reports are made available to the public.
§ The Solicitor-Generalfor Scotland: The procurator fiscal at Glasgow has been making inquiry into the death of five persons arising from the incident at Kingsbridge drive, Rutherglen on 29 November 1985 to which the hon. Member refers, and I expect to receive his report during the course of next month. Also, I am informed that the Health and Safety Commission has directed the Health and Safety Executive in terms of section 14(2)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to investigate the incident and to make a special report to the commission. I understand that a copy of this report will he made available next month to the procurator fiscal. Recognising that this is an issue of public interest there is a likelihood that my noble and learned Friend, the Lord Advocate, will wish to instruct a fatal accident inquiry. The final decision will be taken once my noble and learned Friend has had an opportunity to consider the reports to which I have referred.
Death report which are prepared and submitted by procurators fiscal to Crown Office are confidential and in accordance with the normal practice the report of the procurators fiscal in this case will not be made available to the public. It is a matter for the Health and Safety Commission to decide whether the report by the Health and Safety Executive should be published.