§ 2.46 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT BRIDGEMANMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on the reported destruction of 250,000 Service rifles at Weedon Ordnance Depot on March 15 and if they are satisfied that fire precautions and security precautions at that Depot were adequate.]
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)My Lords, the grave fire at Weedon Ordnance Depôt on March 14, to which the noble Viscount refers, destroyed three-quarters of a storage shed, together with some 165,000 rifles and 5,000 Sten guns, most of which were awaiting repair. A court of inquiry opened on March 30 to investigate the cause and extent of the fire, and to examine and report upon the security and fire precautions in force at the depôt.
§ VISCOUNT BRIDGEMANMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I suggest that when the report of the court of inquiry is available I should put down a further Question.