§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in charges in the case of John Barr Butchers and the E.coli deaths in Wishaw. [25234]
§ Mr. McLeishCriminal prosecutions are a matter for my right hon. noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. I understand that the Procurator Fiscal consulted Crown Counsel before agreeing to accept pleas of guilty which were offered on behalf of the firm of John. M. Barr and Son in respect of two charges under the Food Safety Legislation and to drop two other, less serious, charges against the firm and the three charges against the252W partners in the firm. The charges in respect of which the firm pleaded guilty reflected the most serious offences which were charged in the case, namely those involving E.coli 0157 contamination. The Lord Advocate is satisfied that acceptance of the pleas tendered was in accordance with the interests of justice.