THE driver of a bin lorry that lost control killing six people in Glasgow was never interviewed by the police, a court has heard.

Harry Clarke did not give a statement to officers following the fatal crash, a hearing ahead of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the deaths heard yesterday.

Paul Reid, representing Mr Clarke - who faced no prosecution following the tragedy - told the hearing that the driver will answer questions if called as a witness.

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and his 69-year-old wife Lorraine were killed on December 22 along with

Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh.

The bin lorry lost control on Queen Street and George Square, mounting the pavement and ploughing into pedestrians before coming to rest at the Millennium Hotel.

Mr Clarke's medical history and his fitness to hold and licence will be examined at the inquiry.

The mechanics of the bin lorry and the route it took through the city will also be looked at.

At a preliminary hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday, Solicitor Dorothy Bain QC, representing Miss Morton's family, said she was "keen to understand Mr Clarke's status".

She added: "He gave no police statement at all."

Mr Clarke's solicitor, Mr Reid, later added that there had been a "clear public statement" from the Crown which that Mr Clarke should not be prosecuted.

Sheriff Principle John Beckett said: "You say that the Crown has committed itself to not prosecuting your client.

"Are you saying that he will cooperate, that he will answer all questions?"

Mr Reid replied: "Yes."

The Crown Office said in February: “Despite its catastrophic consequences there is no evidence to suggest that the driver’s conduct at the time amounted to a breach of the criminal law.”

The families of all those killed were represented at yesterday's hearing along with the two passengers in the bin lorry, Glasgow City Council and the doctors who treated Mr Clarke following the crash.

The family of Erin McQuade and Lorraine and Jack Sweeney were among relatives also present in court.

It was decided that the FAI will go ahead on July 22 after Sheriff Principle John Beckett QC ruled against a motion calling for an adjournment.

Mark Stewart QC - acting for the family of Erin McQuade and Jack and Lorraine Sweeney - said his team needed more time to look through reports and technical information relating to the crash.

Mr Stewart raised a motion calling for the FAI to be adjourned for three months.

He said he had a large amount of "factual data and complex technical data" to consider.

Mr Stewart also said that the inquiry is set for the school summer holiday period adding that the family wish to be involved but also have children who must be cared for.

But the Sheriff Principle said: "I have carefully considered all the interests and the public interest and I conclude that the inquiry will proceed on July 22."

John Beckett QC has replaced Craig Scott who oversaw the first two hearings before he realised he had a link to one of the families.

He opened yesterday's hearing by offering his condolences.

He spoke of the "shock, pain and anguish" they had experienced and said: "I express my personal sympathies and behalf of the court I offer my condolences.

"I extend my sympathy also to all those injured and traumatised."

The inquiry is expected to last three weeks.