§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of previous explosions at the ammunition factory at IMI Ltd. Witton, Birmingham, he will arrange for an investigation by Her Majesty's Explosives Inspectorate of the site facilities and response rates of the West Midlands fire service before the company ceases to maintain its site fire brigade.
§ Mr. Waddington[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1982, c. 412]: The ammunition factory of IMI Kynock Ltd. at 17W Witton is licensed by the Health and Safety Executive under the Explosives Act 1875 for the manufacture of explosives. The factory was visited by Her Majesty's Inspector of Explosives as recently as May 1982 when, amongst other things, the fire certificate requirements for the buildings in which explosives may be present were discussed. No mention was made of the disbandment of the company fire brigade. If the company ceases to maintain a site fire brigade, the current discussions will have to include consideration of the adequacy of the company's means of fighting fires.
The premises are categorised by the West Midlands fire service as a high risk and attract an attendance of three pumping appliances and two special appliances, of which the first two pumping appliances are required to attend within five minutes and the third in eight minutes.