§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention had been drawn to an accident at the new lock, Portsmouth, by which a man named Arthur Rowe was killed and another injured; will he state what was the cause of the accident; and what is the condition of the injured man?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am aware of the accident in question, which, it is understood", was caused by the clutch of the lowering gear of a derrick crane slipping out and causing the jib to drop. Pending the inquest no further definite information is available. The injured man is almost well and is expected to return to duty this week.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWill the right hon Gentleman's Department be represented at the inquest?
§ Mr. McKENNAI would ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any report as to the failure of the coffer dam at the new lock, Portsmouth; whether the new works were flooded as a result; and whether the breach has yet been rectified; and will he say what delay in completion the accident is likely to cause?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have received a full report of the occurrence. The coffer dam did not fail in any way, but there was a "blow" under it, which resulted in a partial flooding of the works. The leak was entirely staunched by the following 414 morning. I see no reason to expect that the contract date for the completion of the works will be exceeded.