HC Deb 26 July 1950 vol 478 cc78-9W
134. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why, immediately after the recent explosion of ammunition in Portsmouth Harbour, and while the cause of the explosion was still unknown, the office of the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, issued a statement that there was no reason to suspect sabotage.

Mr. W. Edwards

Because, on the evidence then available, there was no such reason; the statement was amplified later.

135. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander R. Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has any further statement to make on the recent ammunition explosion at Bedenham.

Mr. W. Edwards

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 24th July.

137. Sir J. Lucas

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, with regard to the recent Portsmouth explosion, compensation will be paid for loss of increment to hotels or boarding houses whose windows are broken or properties damaged to the extent that they cannot receive guests, in view of the fact that this is the holiday season.

Mr. W. Edwards

As I informed the House on 19th July, claims for compensation, resulting from this explosion, which may include claims of the kind referred to by the hon. Member, are being accepted by the Admiralty without prejudice to the legal position.