§ Mr. CECIL HARMSWORTHasked the Minister of Munitions if he is in a position to give wide and authoritative publicity to the facts relating to the gallant conduct of the staff of a munitions works in the Midlands that was recently the scene of a serious disaster; and what public recognition, if any, is to be accorded to the surviving members of the staff?
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§ Mr. KELLAWAYI should like to give the widest possible publicity and recognition to the magnificent conduct of all concerned, which was beyond all praise. A list of recommendations for conspicuous bravery has been compiled, and will shortly be submitted to the Home Secretary, but there has been the greatest difficulty in singling out individuals, partly because the explosion was a matter of a few seconds and there were no resultant fires, and partly because inquiry in all cases could elicit no more than that "they only did their duty." The great mass of workers returned almost instantly to assist in the work of rescue, and I may state that production was resumed within two days on the remaining portions of the factory, working three shifts, with the result that the factory was turning out over 50 per cent. of its former production within a week, and this has since been continually improved upon. In the past, presentation of honours for similar acts of devotion has been made the occasion for a public function at the factory, presided over by the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, and I am considering the best means of securing public recognition of those who have deserved so well of their country on this occasion.