§ 19. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary whether any investigation has been ordered into the explosion at the explosives and chemical products works near Great Oakley, Essex, last month, in which three men and two women lost their lives; what explosives were under manufacture at these works; and whether the company are contractors to His Majesty's Government?
Sir W. JOYNSON HICKSYes, Sir, I have directed, under Section 66 of the Explosives Act, 1875, an inquiry to be made by a Government In- 202 spector into the cause of the accident. The explosives being made at the time of the accident were ordinary industrial blasting explosive's. As regards the last part of the question, information as to the contracts held by a firm manufacturing explosives, whether Government or private contracts, is not required by the Act to be given to my Inspectors, and I have no information as to whether this Company are contractors to His Majesty's Government or not.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen the Report is made, will it be published?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will consider the Report, and, if the hon. and gallant Member puts a question down, I will be able to tell him whether or not I can publish it.