§ 34. Mr. FREDERICK ROBERTSasked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the recent unfortunate explosion at Tipton, he can, in conjunction with the Disposal Board, arrange that, in all future disposals of explosives, delivery shall be withheld until the proper licence, as required by Statute, has been granted?
§ 96. Mr. ALFRED SHORTasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the explosion at Tipton, he will arrange for the disposal in future of explosives to only persons who are licensed to handle same?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hilton Young)As stated in my reply on the 14th instant to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, the Disposal and Liquidation Commission 222 make careful inquiries in every case, with a view to ensuring that purchases of ammunition comply with the law as regards licensing. The responsibility of doing so must, of course, remain with the contractor, but the Commission are considering whether further restrictions of the character indicated by the hon. Members cannot be imposed. In the case in question, it is understood that the ammunition was transferred from the purchasing contractor to another firm without the knowledge of the Departments concerned.