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Proceeding contribution from Dominic Grieve (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 10 October 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill on Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill.


Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill

I thank the Home Secretary for giving way. Can I raise a point about public authorities? The Home Secretary makes a perfectly valid point in saying that there might be particular problems with public authorities in the exercise of some of their functions, but people will find the following situation rather strange in respect of individuals within an organisation: for instance, a hospital doctor might be prosecuted for manslaughter and it emerges in the course of the case that there were systemic failures in his training, and, as I understand it, the health trust responsible for that would escape prosecution under these provisions. I hope that we can look at that area again. Similarly, a police authority or force could escape prosecution for failings of their officers leading to the death of an individual. It seems to me that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, and if we are holding individuals to account in such circumstances, it is very strange if we do not provide a mechanism within corporate manslaughter legislation that also allows the authorities to be held to account.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
450 c205 
Session
2005-06
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Accountability Armed forces Death Companies Directors Crown immunity Corporate manslaughter Disqualification Liability Homicide Health and safety Health and Safety Executive Fines Exemptions Foreign companies Police Prosecutions Management Negligence Scotland Prohibition notices
Legislation
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill 2005-06 to 2006-07
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk