Motion text
That this House recalls, fifty years on, the dreadful events of 21 October 1971, when Scotland’s worst peace-time explosion ripped through the Clarkston Toll shopping precinct, quickly reducing the shops to rubble; recognises the devastating impact on the local community, with 22 people losing their lives and more than 100 injured, and the grief this caused for so many families across Clarkston, East Renfrewshire and beyond; further recognises that the majority of the victims were women and that minimal compensation was paid to victims or the families of the deceased; expresses concern that the cause of the explosion, which was likened to the detonation of a 300 lb bomb, has never been identified despite a fatal accident inquiry lasting 19 days, and that no one was held accountable for this tragedy, despite the fact that in the days before the explosion shop workers had raised concerns about the smell of gas, and, despite no source being found, the all-clear was given to open the shops on the morning of 21 October; records its appreciation of the work of the emergency services, with firefighters and police officers, aided by volunteers, working to recover people from the debris, while doctors, nurses and a fleet of 22 ambulances battled to save as many as they could; commends those in the local community who have worked to commemorate the victims of this dreadful event, the losses from which are felt to this day; and notes that the community in Clarkston will never forget.
Signatures (48)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Oswald, Kirsten
Scottish National Party
Signed on
23 September 2021
Blackford, Ian
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Barker, Paula
Labour
Signed on
18 October 2021
Grady, Patrick
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Thewliss, Alison
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Fellows, Marion
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Dorans, Allan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Bonnar, Steven
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
O'Hara, Brendan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Monaghan, Carol
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Law, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Hendry, Drew
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Nicolson, John
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Thomson, Richard
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Brock, Deidre
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Ferrier, Margaret
Independent
Signed on
18 October 2021
Brown, Alan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Callaghan, Amy
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Crawley, Angela
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
MacNeil, Angus Brendan
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
McLaughlin, Anne
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Doogan, Dave
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Linden, David
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Chapman, Douglas
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Newlands, Gavin
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Bardell, Hannah
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Cherry, Joanna
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
McNally, John
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Blackman, Kirsty
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Cameron, Dr Lisa
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Docherty-Hughes, Martin
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Day, Martyn
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Black, Mhairi
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Thompson, Owen
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Gibson, Patricia
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Wishart, Pete
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Grant, Peter
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Whitford, Dr Philippa
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Cowan, Ronnie
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Flynn, Stephen
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Hosie, Stewart
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
McDonald, Stewart Malcolm
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
McDonald, Stuart C
Scottish National Party
Signed on
18 October 2021
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
19 October 2021
Hanvey, Neale
Alba Party
Signed on
19 October 2021
McDonnell, John
Labour
Signed on
20 October 2021
Jardine, Christine
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
27 October 2021
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.