Falkland Islands (Hansard, 27 April 1984)

§ Mr. Dalyell
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial help he is making available to the relatives of the dead from Port Stanley hospital to be represented legally at the inquiry into the fire there on 10 April.

§ Mr. Whitney
The question of representation of relatives of the dead from Port Stanley hospital is a matter for the commission of inquiry established by the civil commissioner to investigate the circumstances of the fire. The relevant facts concerning the fire at Port Stanley hospital will be presented to the commission of inquiry by counsel.

§ Mr. Dalyell
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) why fire hydrants at Port Stanley hospital had not been connected to the water supply before 10 April;
(2) if he will list the recommendations for improvements in Port Stanley hospital in the memorandum by Mr. John Broderick;
(3) why officials of his Department informed Dr. Alison Bleaney, senior medical officer, on Monday 9 April that the public works department could not do anything about the water supply;
(4) if he will list the fire-fighting apparatus available to fight fires in Port Stanley before Monday 9 April.

§ Mr. Whitney
Such questions are likely to be considered by the commission of inquiry established by the civil commissioner of the Falkland Islands to investigate the circumstances of the fire at Port Stanley hospital. It would not therefore be appropriate to give answers to these questions until the commission of inquiry has reported.

§ Mr. Dalyell
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dates and work of the public works department in installing a central heating system at Government house.

§ Mr. Whitney
The fuel pipes of the Government house central heating system were cleared in August 1982 following a breakdown during the Argentine occupation of the Falkland Islands. Since then no work has been done on the system other than routine maintenance.

§ Mr. Dalyell
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of flying out the Home Office fire inspector from London to Port Stanley; and if he will give the inspector's terms of reference.

§ Mr. Whitney
The cost of flying out the Home Office fire inspector from London to Port Stanley and back is £892.
635W
The inspector's terms of reference are:

(a) To identify the cause or causes of the fire and its spread and development;

(b) To examine the incidence and causes of deaths in the fire and the contributory factors;

(c) To assess the effects, if any, of the time of arrival of fire-fighting units at the scene of the fire on the casualty rate, and generally to look into other relevant factors relating to the outbreak of the fire.