Page:UK Parliamentary White Paper Cmd 1704.pdf/3



To the, K.C., M.P., H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department,

,

In pursuance of the Order set out on page 2 hereof, the Court viewed the premises at Groveland Road, Dudley Port, Staffordshire, on the 22nd ultimo, and thereafter at the Victoria Law Courts, Birmingham, opened the formal investigation into the circumstances and causes of the said explosion.

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Mr. Beale, of 12, Newhall Street, Birmingham, represented the Treasury.

Mr. J. H. Stockdale appeared for the Tipton Urban District Council.

Mr. C. H. Darby appeared for Mrs. L. K. Knowles and Mr. J. W. Knowles.

Mr. A. J. Glover appeared for Mr. E. J. R. Chadwick.

Mr. F. Chapman appeared for the Premier Aluminium Casting Company, Ltd.

The following witnesses gave evidence:-

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Major P. S. Bapty, M.C., a licensed dealer in arms and ammunition.

Captain F. E. Rogers, Sectional Director in charge of the sales of surplus warlike material at the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, Earl's Court.

Mr. Harry Andrews, Chairman of the Premier Aluminium Casting Company, Ltd.

Mr. R. V. Dawkins, a Director of the Premier Aluminium Casting Company, Ltd.

It appeared from the evidence that the Explosives Department of the Home Office was in close touch with the Ministry of Munitions, and, later, with the Disposals Board, and that the storage and breaking down of ammunition by private firms had been carefully considered. In connection with this matter, Captain Rogers produced the following letter:—

"12th March, 1920.

",

"The Secretary of State understands that the Minister is contemplating the sale to private firms of certain dumps of surplus ammunition with a view to the breaking up of this ammunition and the recovery of the components. Since as soon as the ammunition ceases to belong to the Government and becomes the property of a private individual or firm it comes under the provisions of the Explosives Act, 1875, and not only is a licence then necessary to cover the breaking down operations but 'safety distances' must be maintained in respect of the whole of the explosive involved, Mr. Shortt would take this opportunity of suggesting that before