§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the status of the employee at Chatham Dockyard who was deemed to be responsible for the fire there in July;
(2) whether the fire in Chatham Dockyard in July last year was the result of an accident, carelessness or deliberate arson;
(3) what were the findings of the board of inquiry into the fire at Chatham Dockyard with regard to the adequacy of the fire precautions in the yard for old buildings; and what steps are being taken to ensure that proper fire-fighting equipment is available for old buildings at other Royal Navy dockyards.
§ Mr. FoleyThe fire at Chatham Dockyard on 12th July was the result of careless action by an apprentice.
The Board of Inquiry considered that additional precautions should be taken for old buildings with a high fire risk, 380W and as stated in my Reply on 20th January the arrangements at other old buildings are now under review.—[Vol. 739, c. 159–60.]