'So important' to learn from Summerland disaster says UK MP

Hall calls for 'justice' for victims and survivors of 1973 blaze

A UK MP says learning from the Summerland disaster is ‘so important’ in preventing further tragedies.

Sarah Hall, who represents Warrington, has told Manx Radio she will continue to advocate for the victims and survivors of the 1973 blaze saying it’s time they ‘finally get justice’.

Fifty people were killed when the leisure complex caught fire on Douglas Promenade.

Those who are old enough will still recall hearing the news of the blaze.

That collective horror was reiterated by the Chief Minister Alfred Cannan last year which marked the 50^th anniversary of the tragedy:

At the time he said issuing an apology for the failings identified was being done ‘at the right time’ and that his government would ‘acknowledge the inadequacies’ that contributed to the fatalities.

However he said he felt it was ‘unnecessary’ for UK MPs to debate the tragedy.

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In the House of Commons last week MP Hall called for a parliamentary debate into the ‘horrific circumstances’ of the fire saying no individuals or groups have ever been ‘singled out for blame for what happened’.

Two men from her constituency 20-year-old Alan Barker and 21-year-old Sean Kelly died during the blaze.

Her constituent Valerie Daniels, and her younger sister, were also impacted by the incident.

Ms Hall said it’s her role to represent these individuals and drew comparisons to the Grenfell tragedy:

In response Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell told the MP they were ‘incredibly pertinent issues’ and ones which she felt the house should be debating.