HC Deb 26 July 1979 vol 971 c360W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in theOfficial Report the number of allowances and the total amount paid by the Government in allowances for the education of the children of(a) serving officers and(b) other serving ranks, and the cost of aid for children's travelling expenses in 1977–78 and 1978–79.

Mr. Rayhoe

The number of heads of family claiming boarding school allowances in the years 1977–78 and 1978–79 together with the amounts paid are shown below: with explosive substances in a laboratory at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, died in an explosion.

The explosion occurred in a laboratory concerned with conventional explosives. No radioactive material was involved in the incident and there was and is, therefore, no risk to other workers in the establishment.

The exact cause and circumstances of the incident are not yet known, and they are being investigated urgently by a Ministry of Defence board of inquiry.