Anniversary of the Findlay Family Tragedy, and the Need for the Reform of Culpable Homicide Law

That the Parliament acknowledges that 22 December 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic deaths of a Larkhall family, Andrew and Janette Findlay, and their children, Stacey, aged 13, and Daryll, aged 11, following an explosion at their family home, which was caused by a leaking gas main; acknowledges that the utility firm, Transco, pled guilty to health and safety charges and was convicted of failing to maintain the iron gas main that ran through the family's garden; notes that the main was found to be extensively corroded and leaking, and that a fine of £15 million was imposed; recognises however, that the firm was initially charged with culpable homicide, but that these charges collapsed; believes that involuntary homicides in work-related settings should not be immune from being investigated as culpable homicide and that there is a long overdue need for a change in the law; urges Members therefore to support the proposed Culpable Homicide (Scotland) Bill, which has been lodged by Claire Baker MSP, which it believes will help bring wider public debate on culpable homicide and deaths caused by work-related activities, and hopes that this will lead to an improved culpable homicide law that will see companies and individuals face charges where evidence justifies prosecution.