§ 2.40 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are now in a position to make a further statement on the train fire at Beattock on June 8, in which five persons lost their lives and, in particular, to state what was the cause of the fire and of the five deaths which resulted therefrom; whether the inflammable paint which was the cause of the fire at Penmanshiel last year was the origin of the accident at Beattock, and when the report of the inspecting officer of railways who conducted the inquiry will be published.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRE-TARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH)My Lords, the accident at Beattock on June 8 has been the subject of the most careful and extensive investigation by the inspecting officer of railways who conducted the inquiry, in order that to possible circum-stances should be overlooked which may in any way lead to the prevention of a repetition of these fires. There is, unfortunately, no living witness of what 19 happened in the compartment in which the deaths occurred, and the two coaches concerned were so completely gutted that very little evidence remained to indicate how the fire started. Nevertheless, in the opinion of the inspecting officer, there can be little doubt that the fire was started by a cigarette or carelessly discarded match setting light to fluff or papers underneath the seat in a compartment, which was subsequently left unoccupied for a considerable time. The cause of death was the sudden inrush of a wave of intense heat into the compartment occupied by the victims.
Although paint containing cellulose nitrate was used in the coaches, it was of a different kind from that found in the Penmanshiel fire. It had no connection with the start of the fire or with the cause of death, though it may possibly have contributed slightly to the subsequent conflagration. The investigations of the inspecting officer of railways have now been completed, and it is hoped that his report will be printed and published before the end of the year.
LORD CLYDESMUIRMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I should like to be assured that the Government are taking active steps on the information received to prevent fires of this type in future.
LORD SALTOUNMy Lords, before the noble Lord replies, I should like to ask one question in order to elucidate the matter. Is it not the noble Lord's opinion that the deaths were practically instantaneous?
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, in answer to the first supplementary question, His Majesty's Government will accept the report and will take all possible steps to see that the recommendations of the inspecting officer will be implemented. So far as the second supplementary question is concerned, I am informed by the inspecting officer that the deaths were instantaneous.