HC Deb 31 July 1934 vol 292 cc2457-8
25. Mr. THORNE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information to the House about the naval cordite factory explosion at Holton Heath, Dorset, when one man was killed and one seriously injured; and whether the cause of the explosion was due to defective piping?

The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Captain Euan Wallace)

I am unable to add anything to the evidence given at the coroner's inquest, held on the 25th July, of which I expect the hon. Member has seen the report in. the Press. The deceased man, with whose dependants the whole House will sympathise, was engaged on cutting up disused lead piping, which had formerly contained nitroglycerine. The piping had been washed out before removal and was being cut up for further treatment. The precautions and tool to be used in this work are laid down in standing instructions at the factory. From the evidence given at the inquest, at which a verdict of accidental death was returned, it would seem that these instructions were not observed by the deceased. There was no evidence that the piping was defective. The man working with him sustained minor injuries and shock. He returned to duty the next day and is now completely recovered.

Mr. THORNE

May I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether the dependants in question will get full compensation?

Captain WALLACE

Yes, Sir. The question of the eligibility of the dependants for compensation will be dealt with under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act.