§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if Her Majesty's Government will make available interim financial assistance to victims of the Abbeystead explosion while their independent claims are being pursued.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI share the hon. Member's concern about the plight of the victims of the Abbeystead disaster. They have my deepest sympathy. But as claims for compensation are now before the courts it would be wrong for the Government to take any action which could888W affect the natural outcome of these proceedings, however well-intentioned it might be. It is therefore not possible for special financial assistance to be made available in addition to what is provided to those in need through the normal channels of the Department of Health and Social Security.