§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the Secretary of State for Employment how far the investigation into the explosion of 5th April at Laporte Chemical IndustriesLimited at Uphall Road, Ilford, has progressed; and how soon a report is likely to be made public.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerI have been informed by the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that he has under Section 14(2)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 directed the Health and Safety Executive to investigate and to make a special report on the explosion on 5th April 1975 at Laporte Industries Ltd., Ilford. The investigation of the Health and Safety Executive is making good progress, but before any final conclusions can be drawn it is necessary for metallurgical tests of parts of the plant involved to be completed. These tests are being conducted by the Safety in Mines Research Establishment which is part of the Health and Safety Executive, and it is hoped that the results will be available by the third week in May 1975. After the special report has been received and considered by the Health and Safety Commission the Commission may decide to publish the report under Section 14(5) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act.