HC Deb 04 November 1975 vol 899 cc227-9
Mr. John Ellis (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the explosion that occurred at the Appleby Frodingham Steelworks, Scunthorpe, in his constituency and if he will order a public inquiry to be held.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Harold Walker)

The Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informed me that an explosion occurred at the Queen Victoria blast furnace of the Appleby Frodingham plant of the British Steel Corporation at about 3 a.m. today, when a large amount of molten metal was being poured into a torpedo ladle. Four workers were killed and some 15 more were injured, some very seriously, of whom two have since died. I am sure that the whole House will join me in expressing our deep sympathy to the relatives of those who have lost their lives and to those who have been injured.

It is, of course, too early to make any detailed statement about the cause of the explosion. One of the factory inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive commenced an investigation on the site at six o'clock this morning. He has now been joined by others. The Health and Safety Commission was meeting this morning, and the Commission's Chairman, Mr. Simpson, is travelling to the site this afternoon. The Commission instructed the Executive to investigate and to make a special report to it on the matter. The trade unions as well as management will be associated with the inquiry. The report will be published.

Mr. Ellis

May I associate myself with the condolences to the bereaved and injured expressed by my hon. Friend on behalf of the Government and in which I am sure the whole House shares?

Can my hon. Friend say how the side of the operation conducted by the emergency services, the voluntary organisations and British Steel is proceeding? Will he confirm reports, which I have already received, that they are doing a magnificent job in a situation similar to that at Flixborough, in respect of which the emergency services only recently received recognition?

Does the Minister realise that in view of the sad past history of my constituency there is great public concern that this tragedy should be investigated thoroughly? Will he say a little more about the inquiry procedures? Would not a public inquiry be more satisfactory? May I request that in any event the full report of the inquiry and its findings should be published?

Mr. Walker

My hon. Friend does well to remind the House that his constituents have suffered a double tragic blow in a short space of time. I feel for my hon. Friend in this situation because, as at Flixborough, some of my constituents are directly affected, one of them being critically injured. Although I have no direct information, I have no doubt that, as at Flixborough, the emergency services in my hon. Friend's constituency and in the surrounding areas are doing a splendid job.

I think that it may be too early at this stage to decide whether a public inquiry will be appropriate. I hope my hon. Friend will agree that the special report procedure, which I outlined in my reply, will be a speedy way of getting at the facts of the matter. However, it would be equally wrong to rule out the possibility of a public inquiry if the facts suggest that that procedure would be appropriate and necessary.

Mr. Tinn

Although I accept what the Minister said about keeping an open mind on the subject of a public inquiry, may I ask whether he recognises that this disaster highlights the risks present in this industry, and especially the ever-present danger of running hot metal into containers which might accidentally contain a small amount of hot water—which hot metal contains—and thus producing an explosive reaction? That risk is ever-present in the steel and iron-making industry. Will the Minister take every opportunity to ensure that, whatever method of inquiry is employed, he takes every step to prevent a repetition of these all too frequently recurring episodes?

Mr. Walker

I doubt whether the House would want me to speculate on the possible causes in advance of the report to which I have referred. My hon. Friend is right to remind the House of the grievous risks that are run, and often taken for granted by workers every day of their working lives. I recognise the interest of my hon. Friend because of his connection with one of the trade unions which has members involved.

My hon. Friend is right to point out the need to keep an open mind about what kind of inquiry may be necessary. That depends on what arises from the facts revealed by the report to which I have referred.

Mr. Prior

Is the Minister aware that the Opposition associate themselves with the expressions of sympathy extended to those affected by this second disaster in the constituency of the hon. Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Ellis)? We agree with the statement made by the Minister and hope that the inquiry by the Health and Safety Commission will proceed as quickly as possible. We ask the hon. Gentleman to report back to the House when he has further information to give us.

Mr. Walker

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for what he said. I readily give that undertaking. When the report of the Health and Safety Executive is received we shall, with the permission of the House, make a further statement to the House.

Mr. David Watkins

Is the Minister satisfied with the extent to which the British Steel Corporation is applying loss control techniques at all its plants? Is he aware that proper loss control assessment can foresee many accidents and therefore render them avoidable?

Mr. Walker

I understand that that is one of the safety techniques in which the British Steel Corporation has taken a special interest.

Mr. Greville Janner

Without prejudging the outcome of whatever inquiry is held, will my hon. Friend take this opportunity to emphasise that the penal provisions in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act apply for the protection of workers in both the public and the private sectors?

Mr. Walker

Of course, my hon. and learned Friend is right.