§ Mr. Lyonsasked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to compensate, without delay, those persons who have lost dependants or suffered damage as a consequence of the Waltham Abbey explosion; whether he will consider the question of interim payments, so as to afford immediate relief in any pressing case; and whether he can make a statement on the general question of compensation in this type of occurrence?
§ Colonel LlewellinI should like to take this opportunity of expressing the deep sympathy of my right hon. Friend and his colleagues on the Supply Council with the relatives of the employés of the Royal Gunpowder Factory who lost their lives in this explosion.
Compensation to the dependants will be dealt with in accordance with the scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Acts. The necessary procedure has already been set in motion, and arrangements are being made for immediate payments where the dependants are in distress. Employés who have been incapacitated for work will receive the compensation to which they are entitled under the scheme. As regards damage to property sustained by persons outside the factory, reasonable compensation will be paid.
I am afraid I could not undertake to make a general statement as requested in the last part of my hon. and learned Friend's Question, having regard to the many classes of cases which may arise.