§ Mr. JOHN JONESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Auditor-General in which it is stated that the Silvertown explosion cost the State the sum of £1,800,000; if he is prepared to issue a Report stating how much money was received in compensation by the large factories in the district and the amount 66W that was paid in compensation to the relatives of those who lost their lives through the explosion; and if he will state the amounts paid to those who were injured?
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEMy attention has been called to the Report. The total sum paid to third parties as compensation for damage to large factories in the neighbourhood is £1,043,161. The amount paid in compensation to the relatives of those who lost their lives in the explosion is £15,900, and to those who were injured, £14,534. The two last amounts have been calculated on the basis of the compensation which would have been payable if the Ministry had been legally liable under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1006.