HC Deb 26 February 1959 vol 600 cc1296-7
Mr. G. Brown

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the reported explosion and fire at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston.

The Paymaster-General (Mr. R. Maudling)

I have been asked to reply.

I regret to inform the House that two men were killed and one injured in an explosion at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston at five minutes past nine this morning, when some explosive was being unloaded from a trolley.

The explosive was of a conventional type and no radioactive materials were involved. The House will be glad to know that there is no radioactive hazard to staff or to the general public.

A Board of Inquiry into the cause of the accident is being set up. Meanwhile, I am sure that the House would wish to join me in expressing sympathy with the injured and the relatives of those killed.

Mr. Brown

First, may I associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with the Minister's expression of deep sympathy for the victims and their families?

This establishment has, quite naturally and inevitably, been surrounded by the highest possible degree of secrecy. It is likely, therefore, that any mishap there will give rise to rather more public anxiety and possibly rumours because of this degree of secrecy. The right hon. Gentleman has assured us that there is no danger of radioactivity. To set the public mind completely at ease, would the right hon. Gentleman undertake, first, to press on the Authority that at the conclusion of the inquiry the fullest possible statement shall be made? Secondly, despite the nature of the establishment, will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that at the inquiry the workpeople will be allowed to make any representations about the safety precautions which they might wish to make?

Mr. Maudling

My right hon. Friend will certainly consider the point about the publication of as much information as possible. On the second point, it has already been arranged that both the non-industrial staff and the industrial workers shall be represented on the Board of Inquiry.

Sir J. Duncan

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not normal in cases such as this that the local Member should be given the opportunity of asking a Question, particularly where death and injury have occurred to his constituents? Was my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A. Hurd) warned that this Question was to be asked?

Mr. Speaker

I have received no request for my permission to ask a Private Notice Question, except from the right hon. Gentleman who has asked it.

Sir J. Duncan

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether the right hon. Gentleman warned my hon. Friend?

Mr. Speaker

That is nothing to do with me.