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ICL Plastics Ltd/ICL Tech Ltd Plastics

The Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini QC and I announced on 1 October 2007 a joint public inquiry under the Inquires Act 2005 into the explosion on 11 May 2004 at a plastics factory operated by ICL Plastics Ltd and ICL Tech Ltd in Maryhill Glasgow which killed nine people and injured 33 others. I am today announcing that Lord Gill, the Lord Justice Clerk has been appointed as chairman of the inquiry and Roy Martin QC as leading counsel. I can confirm that the chairman has been consulted on the terms of reference for the inquiry and we have agreed that these are:"To inquire into the circumstances leading up to the incident on 11 May 2004 at the premises occupied by the ICL group of companies, Grovepark Mills, Maryhill, Glasgow.""To consider the safety and related issues arising from such an inquiry, including the regulation of the activities at Grovepark Mills.""To make recommendations in the light of the lessons identified from the causation and circumstances leading up to the incident.""To report as soon as practicable." The Lord Advocate and I have agreed that there will be no other appointments to the inquiry panel.