EXPLOSION, PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR (Hansard, 24 July 1950)

§ The Prime Minister
With your permission, Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement in continuation of that made by my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the 36 Admiralty on Wednesday last about the recent explosion in ammunition barges at Portsmouth on 14th July.
The board of inquiry into the incident has not yet completed its work but, in order to meet the wishes of the House, an interim report has been obtained as the inquiry has reached the stage which enables the board to state certain definite conclusions. One of these is that the fire which led to the explosion was caused maliciously by a person or persons unknown. Enough is known about the means employed to show that they were based on considerable scientific knowledge and were carefully calculated for their effect. The incident thus constitutes an act of sabotage, though it has not yet been possible to establish by whom it was committed. Further inquiries are proceeding.
The House will be glad to know that all the men who received injuries are recovering. I would like to take this opportunity of placing on record His Majesty's Government's high appreciation of the very valuable services given by those workpeople and their officers who dealt with this most dangerous situation. It was a miracle that there was not a serious loss of life among workers in the armament depot and their families living nearby: this was due to the prompt action, often in circumstances of considerable danger, taken by these men.

§ Mr. Eden
The Prime Minister has made a very grave statement indeed. I think we all want to be associated with what he said about the action taken by the officers and men on the spot. May I ask if he can say, without inconvenience, anything more about the passage in his statement in which he referred to this act having been perpetrated by persons possessed of considerable scientific knowledge? Can he say whether these persons were in Admiralty employ, and, if so, does he feel satisfied that the screening is adequate to avoid anything of this kind in the future?

§ The Prime Minister
No. There is no information to show by whom—or, indeed, where—the action that led to this fire was perpetrated; but I would say that the most careful screening does take place in Admiralty establishments, and that for some weeks now extra precautions have been taken.

§ Mr. Clement Davies
In view of the very startling situation disclosed by this statement, does not the Prime Minister consider that even stronger security measures should be taken with a view to protecting men and materials?

§ The Prime Minister
They have already been taken.