§ 49. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the Paymaster-General, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he can make any statement as to the injuries caused to 16 children and two men at Paignton, on 20th April, by the explosion of a hydrogen balloon released by the National Physical Laboratory; and whether he is prepared to accept liability for medical expenses incurred in treating the injured persons without prejudice to any claims for damages that may be made hereafter?
The Paymaster-General (Earl Winter-ton)I am desired to express my Noble Friend's sincere regret at this accident, and I am sure the House will wish to join with him in extending sympathy to the victims. While it is understood that the burns sustained by Mr. Lymath and Mr. Browse are more extensive than those by the children, the majority of whom are believed to have sustained only minor injuries, my Noble Friend hopes that in no case will there be any permanent injury or disability. Although there can be no question of legal liability, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research will be prepared to pay fair compensation to those injured, and this decision was communicated by letter to the clerk to the Paignton Urban District Council on 21st April, the day following the accident.
§ Mr. ThorneHave any of the children suffered any permanent injury?
§ Earl WintertonIn my reply, I said it was hoped that none of them had suffered any permanent injury.