§ 36. Mr. Anthony Nuttingasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has yet received the report of the court of inquiry on the explosion of mine fuses at Saxelby, Leicestershire; what are the findings of the court; and whether he will give an assurance that only soldiers with considerable experience of explosives will be employed upon this highly dangerous type of work.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe report of the court of inquiry has been completed, but I have not yet received the views of the military authorities in the Command concerned. When I have had an opportunity to consider their comments, I will write to the hon. Member. As regards the last part of the Question, only personnel of considerable experience are employed in work of a technical nature in connection with the disposal of ammunition, and Royal Pioneer Corps personnel employed as labour in handling ammunition boxes do so under expert supervision.
§ Mr. NuttingWill the Minister ensure that that assurance is followed up in every case, and is he aware that, out of the three people killed in this disaster, two were recruits, one with only seven weeks' service, who could not possibly have had considerable experience of explosives?
§ Mr. ShinwellI think we might defer judgment until we see the report.