§ Mr. Mahonasked the Minister of Power if he is now fully informed of the reasons for the explosion of a transformer on 24th December in the substation at Louise Braille Close in Bootle, which demolished the brick and concrete building; if he has had a technical report from the makers of this transformer; and if he is now able to make a statement about the incident.
§ Mr. GeorgeI have seen a copy of an interim report by the manufacturers. The immediate cause of the accident seems to have been an explosion of gas which was ignited by a flashover on the high-voltage bushings of the transformer. The manufacturers are still investigating why gas was present. The report suggests that the explosion was not directly due to over-loading of the transformer. I will write to the hon. 195W Member when the manufacturer's final report is available, but this may not be for some time.