§ 64. Mr. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can give any information in regard to the fatal accident to Ernest Emery at Woolwich Arsenal; whether he can state the cause of the accident; whether the machinery used was defective in any way; and whether the deceased's relatives are to be paid any compensation?
Mr. LINDSAYI regret that Ernest Emery, an established yard foreman in the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Woolwich, died on 3rd April owing to an injury received in the course of his duty. Emery was supervising the lifting of a piece of armour plate, when the rope sling broke and the plate, in falling, struck him on the head and killed him. It is not known why the sling should have broken. The weight of the plate was approximately 8 tons. To lift the load the sling was doubled, and as the sling had been tested in a single condition as recently as 20th March with a load of 11 tons, there should have been an ample margin of strength. An inquest was held on 7th April, and the jury brought in a verdict of accidental death, adding the rider that there should have been a stronger rope. This question will receive further consideration in connection with an investigation as to the best type of sling for lifting operations of this nature. The Board of Admiralty have expressed their sympathy with Emery's relatives, and the question of paying compensation to his dependants is under consideration.
Mr. CREECH JONESCan the hon. Member say whether there are any methods adopted of testing these ropes by experts in the various ways that tests are made?