Aberfan: Yr Ymchwiliad

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-Aberfan today -looks exactly like a bomb site.	0:00:08	0:00:11
-I can't comprehend -the extent of the damage.	0:00:13	0:00:16
-Just after nine o'clock on -the morning of 21 October 1966...	0:00:16	0:00:20
-..116 children -and 28 adults were killed...	0:00:21	0:00:24
-..when a coal spoil tip above -the village of Aberfan collapsed.	0:00:25	0:00:29
-We won't know the death toll -until late this evening.	0:00:29	0:00:33
-People were calling for -clear answers to simple questions.	0:00:35	0:00:40
-What caused the disaster -and who was to blame?	0:00:40	0:00:43
-It would've been better for everyone -if this spoil tip...	0:00:43	0:00:47
-..had remained in the colliery.	0:00:48	0:00:50
-That was the saddest thing -I've ever witnessed in my life.	0:00:50	0:00:55
-Merely a month following -the disaster, on 9 November 1966...	0:00:56	0:01:01
-..a tribunal was held -to uncover the truth.	0:01:01	0:01:04
-Solicitors, barristers and -journalists came in their droves...	0:01:05	0:01:10
-..along with many Aberfan parents.	0:01:10	0:01:12
-Mothers, fathers and relatives came -to hear evidence and get answers...	0:01:14	0:01:20
-..just as the tribunal's chairman -had promised.	0:01:20	0:01:24
-The Attorney General -made his address to a crowded hall.	0:01:24	0:01:28
-There were no cameras -to record the tribunal...	0:01:28	0:01:32
-..so, -for the first time in 50 years...	0:01:32	0:01:35
-..we'll hear some of the inquiry's -most poignant accounts.	0:01:35	0:01:39
-What happened in Aberfan...	0:01:40	0:01:42
-..was one of the biggest disasters -of the modern era.	0:01:42	0:01:46
-For 76 days...	0:01:46	0:01:48
-..the tribunal questioned, -challenged and scrutinized.	0:01:49	0:01:52
-It presented its findings -within months.	0:01:53	0:01:55
-But no-one here felt as though -the full truth had been exposed...	0:01:56	0:02:00
-..prompting -a lengthy and bitter campaign.	0:02:00	0:02:05
-A battle for justice.	0:02:05	0:02:07
-Workmen on the mountain -above Aberfan...	0:02:23	0:02:26
-..were the first to realize -that a disaster was about to happen.	0:02:27	0:02:31
-They witnessed tip number seven, -which was 100 feet tall...	0:02:31	0:02:35
-..rise a little...	0:02:35	0:02:38
-..and then collapse suddenly with -force, causing it to slide downhill.	0:02:38	0:02:43
-In their panic, the workers -ran downhill to alert the locals...	0:02:43	0:02:48
-..but it was too late.	0:02:48	0:02:50
-Within minutes, -144 people were killed...	0:02:50	0:02:54
-..116 of whom were children.	0:02:54	0:02:57
-Some of the men who were with us -ran downhill...	0:03:04	0:03:08
-..not knowing where they were going.	0:03:08	0:03:11
-Some of them reached the school...	0:03:12	0:03:15
-..and rescued some of the children -before the slide engulfed them.	0:03:15	0:03:20
-Over the five decades that ensued...	0:03:22	0:03:25
-..the main focus has been the loss -of human life and the grief.	0:03:26	0:03:31
-Everybody understands that.	0:03:31	0:03:33
-But half a century later, the people -of Aberfan have every right...	0:03:33	0:03:38
-..to question what happened.	0:03:38	0:03:40
-Could the disaster -have been averted?	0:03:40	0:03:43
-Who was primarily to blame?	0:03:43	0:03:46
-And why has it taken so long to -uncover the truth and get justice?	0:03:46	0:03:52
-Thousands flocked to Aberfan...	0:03:55	0:03:58
-..though the absence of one person -was significant.	0:03:58	0:04:01
-The chairman of the National Coal -Board, Alf Robens, Lord Robens.	0:04:01	0:04:06
-He was responsible -for the coal industry...	0:04:06	0:04:09
-..a public body -responsible for the tips...	0:04:09	0:04:12
-..where debris from the colliery -was deposited.	0:04:13	0:04:16
-While hundreds of colliers -flocked to Aberfan to help...	0:04:16	0:04:20
-..Alf Robens was too busy.	0:04:20	0:04:22
-He was in Guildford...	0:04:22	0:04:24
-..for his investiture -as Chancellor of Surrey University.	0:04:24	0:04:27
-I am not an engineer, I can't -take charge of rescue operations...	0:04:28	0:04:32
-..so I despatched -the best man in my industry...	0:04:32	0:04:36
-..that is -the chief mining engineer...	0:04:36	0:04:39
-..to ensure everything is done -in a physical way to rescue people.	0:04:39	0:04:43
-It took the best part of two days...	0:04:44	0:04:46
-..for the chairman -to visit the village.	0:04:46	0:04:49
-When Lord Robens -arrived in Aberfan...	0:04:49	0:04:52
-..the rescue effort -turned into a quest to find remains.	0:04:52	0:04:56
-Robens was busy giving interviews -to the press and media.	0:04:56	0:05:00
-He was asked one simple question.	0:05:01	0:05:03
-Was it possible to have known...	0:05:03	0:05:05
-..that the tip -was dangerous before the tragedy?	0:05:06	0:05:09
-He said, -"It was impossible to know...	0:05:09	0:05:12
-"..that there was a spring -in the heart of this tip...	0:05:12	0:05:15
-"..turning the mountain to slush."	0:05:15	0:05:18
-That's the answer he gave to many.	0:05:18	0:05:20
-There has been -an underground spring...	0:05:21	0:05:24
-..which has now been uncovered.	0:05:25	0:05:27
-We have our normal procedures -for ensuring that pits are safe...	0:05:28	0:05:32
-..but we have no procedure...	0:05:32	0:05:34
-..that tells us -there's a spring under a mountain.	0:05:34	0:05:37
-Robens' claim that there was -a hidden natural spring...	0:05:38	0:05:42
-..had shocked villagers...	0:05:42	0:05:44
-..since many had drawn attention -to the dangers in the past.	0:05:44	0:05:48
-Warnings had already been issued...	0:05:48	0:05:51
-..and we've often been plagued...	0:05:51	0:05:56
-..by landslides and floods...	0:05:56	0:05:59
-..especially in winter.	0:05:59	0:06:01
-It's important -to establish one thing right away.	0:06:08	0:06:11
-Many claimed -the disaster was unforeseeable.	0:06:11	0:06:15
-That there had been no signs.	0:06:15	0:06:17
-Let's be polite. That's a lie.	0:06:17	0:06:20
-Here's one example from a long list.	0:06:20	0:06:22
-In January 1965, -two Pantglas mothers...	0:06:23	0:06:25
-..presented a petition -to the school's headmistress.	0:06:26	0:06:29
-Why?	0:06:29	0:06:31
-They were -fed up of floods in this area.	0:06:31	0:06:34
-Each day they brought -their children along this road...	0:06:34	0:06:38
-..and walked up to the school -behind the centre.	0:06:38	0:06:41
-Debris would regularly fall from -the mountain and block the drains.	0:06:42	0:06:46
-The road was waterlogged.	0:06:46	0:06:48
-The mothers could tell there -was a problem but nobody listened.	0:06:49	0:06:53
-The photo of Anne Jennings accepting -the petition from local parents...	0:06:56	0:07:01
-..highlighted the concern...	0:07:01	0:07:03
-..that spoil debris -was sliding from these tips.	0:07:04	0:07:07
-Seeing her in the photograph...	0:07:08	0:07:11
-..emphasises the fact that she was -responsible for the children...	0:07:11	0:07:16
-..and that she had concerns -about the situation...	0:07:16	0:07:20
-..before the disaster happened.	0:07:20	0:07:23
-What happened to that petition?	0:07:23	0:07:26
-It was submitted to the council -and that was the end of the matter.	0:07:26	0:07:31
-Regarding the two mothers...	0:07:31	0:07:33
-..they lost children -in the disaster.	0:07:33	0:07:36
-The headmistress lost her life too.	0:07:36	0:07:39
-In many ways, -the photograph of the three women...	0:07:40	0:07:44
-..is a powerful symbol -of missed opportunities in Aberfan.	0:07:44	0:07:48
-Another opportunity -was missed in January 1964.	0:07:48	0:07:52
-Local councillor Gwyneth Thomas -warned that if the tip slid...	0:07:52	0:07:56
-..the school would be at risk.	0:07:57	0:07:59
-Another warning that was ignored.	0:07:59	0:08:01
-Gradually it emerged...	0:08:02	0:08:04
-..that the warnings by residents and -the local council had been ignored.	0:08:04	0:08:10
-As a result, the Labour government -took a positive stand.	0:08:10	0:08:14
-The weekend after the tragedy, -the government announced...	0:08:14	0:08:18
-..there would be -an official inquiry.	0:08:18	0:08:20
-Choosing the chairman of the inquiry -would be vital...	0:08:21	0:08:25
-..to the inquiry's credibility.	0:08:25	0:08:27
-People here were concerned that -the truth wouldn't be uncovered.	0:08:28	0:08:32
-The choice of chairman -had interesting qualifications.	0:08:32	0:08:36
-An experienced judge...	0:08:36	0:08:38
-..a Welshman with good knowledge -of the local area.	0:08:38	0:08:42
-I should hate to think -that anybody...	0:08:42	0:08:44
-..would connect me -with any whitewashing exercise.	0:08:45	0:08:48
-I should decline to have -anything to do with an inquiry...	0:08:49	0:08:53
-..which was motivated -by considerations of whitewashing.	0:08:53	0:08:57
-You have to come over the mountain -to this school in Mountain Ash...	0:08:58	0:09:02
-..in order to sense -this man's strength of character.	0:09:02	0:09:08
-Edmund Davies.	0:09:08	0:09:10
-This was the sculpture, unveiled -by himself, during the inquiry.	0:09:10	0:09:14
-Yes, he was -a prominent judge in his day.	0:09:14	0:09:17
-He was famous for sentencing -the Great Train Robbers...	0:09:18	0:09:21
-..but more importantly, -he was a man of the Valleys.	0:09:22	0:09:26
-He knew these communities -better than anyone.	0:09:26	0:09:29
-Because of that, he was the -perfect choice to chair the inquiry.	0:09:29	0:09:34
-The official inquiry -had a Welsh feel...	0:09:34	0:09:37
-..and that was purely intentional.	0:09:38	0:09:41
-Tasker Watkins, a former soldier and -recipient of the Victoria Cross...	0:09:41	0:09:45
-..was the counsel.	0:09:45	0:09:47
-It was his job to present -the evidence and question witnesses.	0:09:47	0:09:52
-Other Welsh barristers -were involved...	0:09:52	0:09:55
-..but the families -took a radical decision.	0:09:55	0:09:58
-They were keen -to appoint someone from outside.	0:09:58	0:10:02
-Someone with no connection -to the coal board.	0:10:02	0:10:05
-Englishman Desmond Ackner was one -of the era's brightest barristers.	0:10:05	0:10:10
-The inquiry was held -at Merthyr technical college...	0:10:10	0:10:14
-..rather than Aberfan.	0:10:14	0:10:16
-The building -has changed a lot since then.	0:10:16	0:10:19
-Surprisingly, the inquiry began only -a month after the disaster happened.	0:10:19	0:10:24
-In those early days, -there was intense media coverage.	0:10:24	0:10:29
-There's little wonder since Aberfan -became known throughout the world.	0:10:30	0:10:35
-At 10.15am this morning, -the Aberfan Tribunal convened.	0:10:38	0:10:43
-It will continue for six weeks.	0:10:43	0:10:45
-On the first day of the tribunal, -frightening evidence was presented.	0:10:46	0:10:50
-Water on the mountain -had been marked on maps...	0:10:51	0:10:54
-..and clear warnings -had been ignored.	0:10:54	0:10:56
-It appeared as though -the case was straightforward.	0:10:57	0:11:00
-But when barrister Philip Wien -stood up to represent the NCB...	0:11:01	0:11:05
-..it became clear early on that -things would be more complicated.	0:11:06	0:11:10
-The board's view -is that the disaster was due to...	0:11:11	0:11:13
-..a coincidence of -a set of geological factors...	0:11:14	0:11:17
-..each of which in itself -is not exceptional...	0:11:17	0:11:20
-..but which collectively created -a critical geological environment.	0:11:20	0:11:25
-The prime cause of the disaster -is therefore...	0:11:25	0:11:29
-..geological.	0:11:29	0:11:31
-The NCB's main message was that -it wasn't culpable for the disaster.	0:11:31	0:11:35
-They claimed it was -a combination of geological factors.	0:11:36	0:11:39
-This provided the basis for one -of the tribunal's biggest battles.	0:11:40	0:11:44
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-Subtitles	0:11:48	0:11:48
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:11:48	0:11:50
-At the beginning of the inquiry, -the coal board claimed...	0:11:51	0:11:56
-..that the Aberfan disaster -was unforeseeable.	0:11:56	0:12:00
-The were special circumstances, -and Aberfan's geology and so on.	0:12:00	0:12:04
-A theory supported by the London -press, including The Sunday Times.	0:12:04	0:12:09
-But within minutes, -Desmond Ackner...	0:12:09	0:12:12
-..the barrister representing -the Aberfan families...	0:12:12	0:12:16
-..disregarded the notion.	0:12:16	0:12:19
-He believed the NCB was to blame. -It had been unforgivably negligent.	0:12:19	0:12:24
-Hearing about its negligence caused -added heartache for the families.	0:12:25	0:12:30
-Feelings which must've been -heightened at the hearing...	0:12:30	0:12:34
-..of the folly and neglect...	0:12:34	0:12:37
-..which appear to be -the irresistible inferences...	0:12:37	0:12:41
-..to be drawn from the facts.	0:12:41	0:12:43
-Early in the inquiry, evidence -was given by eyewitnesses...	0:12:43	0:12:47
-..describing -what had happened on the day.	0:12:47	0:12:50
-Some of the men who'd worked on tip -No.7 years before the disaster...	0:12:50	0:12:56
-..were questioned afterwards.	0:12:56	0:12:58
-Leslie Davies -was questioned by Tasker Watkins...	0:12:59	0:13:02
-..the tribunal's barrister.	0:13:02	0:13:05
-Did you notice a spring upon -the land over which the tip spread?	0:13:05	0:13:09
-Yes, sir.	0:13:09	0:13:11
-Had anybody ever warned you that it -was dangerous to tip over a spring?	0:13:11	0:13:15
-Nobody ever warned me, sir. -My own experience.	0:13:16	0:13:19
-I knew it was dangerous -to tip over any water.	0:13:19	0:13:22
-I must ask you why you went on -tipping over streams and a spring.	0:13:23	0:13:27
-That had nothing at all -to do with me, sir.	0:13:27	0:13:30
-I just take orders. -I'm not an official of the colliery.	0:13:30	0:13:35
-From the outset, the presence of -water under the tip was made clear.	0:13:35	0:13:40
-On Merthyr Mountain today, -there's little evidence...	0:13:41	0:13:44
-..of what existed here -50 years ago...	0:13:44	0:13:47
-..apart from this unusual terrain -where they removed the tips.	0:13:47	0:13:52
-It was dangerous -to be up here in the '60s.	0:13:52	0:13:55
-A mere three years -before the '66 disaster...	0:13:55	0:13:58
-..another tip -collapsed above Aberfan.	0:13:58	0:14:01
-It didn't reach the village...	0:14:01	0:14:04
-..but Ackner was keen -to hear the response back then.	0:14:04	0:14:07
-Did anyone tell you you should -stop tipping after the 1963 slide?	0:14:08	0:14:13
-No, sir.	0:14:13	0:14:15
-You continued -to carry out your daily work...	0:14:15	0:14:18
-..of tipping -on the top of tip No.7?	0:14:18	0:14:21
-Filling up the hole -which had emptied itself out?	0:14:21	0:14:25
-Yes, sir.	0:14:25	0:14:28
-Has the tip slipped before?	0:14:28	0:14:31
-Yes, it came down to the canal banks -behind the school.	0:14:31	0:14:35
-When was this?	0:14:35	0:14:36
-When was this? - -A couple of years ago.	0:14:36	0:14:38
-You think it's been dangerous -for many years?	0:14:38	0:14:42
-I'd say it's still dangerous.	0:14:42	0:14:44
-Two days later, after more shocking -evidence from the tip workers...	0:14:44	0:14:49
-..about the presence of a stream -on the mountain...	0:14:49	0:14:53
-..Chairman Edmund Davies -made a definite statement.	0:14:53	0:14:57
-The coal board -was contradicting its staff.	0:14:57	0:15:00
-It acknowledged the presence of -water but claimed it wasn't visible.	0:15:01	0:15:05
-Edmund Davies was determined...	0:15:06	0:15:08
-..to get the coal board -to acknowledge basic facts.	0:15:08	0:15:11
-Was it possible for his workers -to see water on tip No.7...	0:15:12	0:15:15
-..when the tip was erected?	0:15:16	0:15:17
-..when the tip was erected? - -I'm going to get this clear...	0:15:17	0:15:19
-..before this tribunal continues.	0:15:20	0:15:22
-Philip Wien's answer -highlighted the board's attitude.	0:15:23	0:15:27
-It wasn't their place -to acknowledge any facts...	0:15:27	0:15:30
-..and they weren't ready to yield.	0:15:31	0:15:32
-..and they weren't ready to yield. - -It is not my position...	0:15:32	0:15:34
-..for the coal board to concede -anything before a tribunal...	0:15:35	0:15:38
-..inquiring into these matters.	0:15:38	0:15:41
-As the first phase of the tribunal -ended before Christmas...	0:15:42	0:15:46
-..it appeared that the NCB -intended to refute any suggestion...	0:15:46	0:15:50
-..that the disaster was foreseeable.	0:15:50	0:15:53
-However, there was clear evidence -that warnings had been ignored.	0:15:53	0:15:58
-The South Wales Valleys were very -aware of the dangers of the tips...	0:16:00	0:16:04
-..regardless -of what the NCB was saying.	0:16:05	0:16:08
-The biggest warning came -right here in Aberfan in 1944...	0:16:08	0:16:14
-..when tip No.4 slid downhill -and almost reached the village.	0:16:14	0:16:19
-It took the same path -as tip No.7's collapse in 1966.	0:16:19	0:16:24
-Consider this.	0:16:24	0:16:26
-The people -responsible for the tips' safety...	0:16:26	0:16:29
-..were in an office -the other side of the valley.	0:16:30	0:16:33
-They had -a perfect view of the mountain.	0:16:33	0:16:35
-They could -see the damage from 1944 onwards.	0:16:36	0:16:39
-They had no excuse -to say nobody was aware.	0:16:39	0:16:42
-One of those men was Vivian Thomas, -a colliery engineer at Merthyr Vale.	0:16:44	0:16:49
-He was responsible -for the condition of the tips.	0:16:49	0:16:52
-When he appeared -before the tribunal...	0:16:52	0:16:55
-..he was asked -if a stream was visible...	0:16:55	0:16:58
-..before tip No.7 was built.	0:16:58	0:17:01
-Was that water in the way -of anything proposed to tip on No.7?	0:17:01	0:17:06
-No, sir.	0:17:06	0:17:07
-No, sir. - -How can you answer that question?	0:17:07	0:17:10
-Earlier you told us -there had been no decision...	0:17:10	0:17:13
-..as to how far -the tipping of tip No.7 was to go.	0:17:13	0:17:17
-As far as I was concerned, -tip 7 could go to the boundary.	0:17:17	0:17:20
-Suppose it went to the boundary...	0:17:21	0:17:23
-..are you saying -it would go over none of the water?	0:17:23	0:17:27
-No, I don't think so, sir.	0:17:27	0:17:30
-The man responsible for the tips -denied there was water visible.	0:17:32	0:17:37
-However, earlier evidence claimed -the tip had been erected...	0:17:37	0:17:42
-..on top of a spring.	0:17:42	0:17:44
-The tribunal had to decide -who was telling the truth.	0:17:44	0:17:48
-This is where -Vivian Thomas' office was situated.	0:17:48	0:17:51
-This is the former site -of Merthyr Vale colliery.	0:17:51	0:17:55
-They had a system whereby the coal -debris was transported in trams...	0:17:55	0:17:59
-..across the river -up to the summit of the mountain.	0:18:00	0:18:03
-The coal tips -cast a huge shadow over the valley.	0:18:03	0:18:07
-For those -who worked at this coalmine...	0:18:07	0:18:10
-..the tips -were far enough away from them.	0:18:11	0:18:14
-The coal board's regional managers -were just as disconnected.	0:18:17	0:18:22
-They hadn't given Vivian Thomas -any advice on managing the tips.	0:18:23	0:18:28
-Desmond Ackner was keen to show how -negligent the managers had been...	0:18:29	0:18:34
-..placing all the responsibility on -someone with no relevant experience.	0:18:34	0:18:39
-If you'd seen any irregularity...	0:18:39	0:18:41
-..would you -have reported it to somebody?	0:18:41	0:18:44
-I would've done.	0:18:44	0:18:45
-I would've done. - -Because you had no training...	0:18:45	0:18:47
-..to draw any conclusion -from any irregularity you saw.	0:18:47	0:18:50
-Yes, sir.	0:18:51	0:18:52
-By the time -Vivian Thomas finished...	0:18:53	0:18:56
-..it was clear that no-one -had given him help or advice...	0:18:56	0:18:59
-..and that nothing had changed -after the previous accidents.	0:18:59	0:19:04
-There came another warning -only six miles away from Aberfan.	0:19:04	0:19:09
-At one time there were coal tips -everywhere in the Valleys.	0:19:09	0:19:13
-In December 1939...	0:19:13	0:19:16
-..this tip slid downhill -to the fringes of Cilfynydd...	0:19:16	0:19:20
-..creating an almighty mess.	0:19:20	0:19:22
-It's hard to believe -that no-one was killed back then.	0:19:22	0:19:26
-180,000 tonnes of waste...	0:19:26	0:19:29
-..came gushing down the mountain.	0:19:29	0:19:32
-A huge mess on an industrial scale.	0:19:32	0:19:34
-When they saw what had happened, -the colliery owners were startled.	0:19:34	0:19:39
-Collieries -were privatised back then.	0:19:39	0:19:42
-They decided to draft -new guidelines for tipping safely.	0:19:42	0:19:47
-These guidelines were put in a memo -called the Powell Memo.	0:19:47	0:19:51
-When the National Coal Board -was formed in 1947...	0:19:52	0:19:55
-..the memo was transferred to them.	0:19:55	0:19:58
-The memo clearly stated -not to tip on top of water...	0:19:59	0:20:03
-..the dangers of tipping -on steep slopes...	0:20:03	0:20:06
-..and even height restrictions -for tips on sites such as Aberfan.	0:20:06	0:20:12
-The Powell Memo suddenly -became the focus of the tribunal.	0:20:12	0:20:17
-One of the coal board's witnesses, -David Lewis Roberts...	0:20:17	0:20:22
-..knew about the Powell Memo.	0:20:22	0:20:24
-He was responsible for the tips -of Aberfan and other collieries.	0:20:25	0:20:29
-He saw the outcome of the slide -in Cilfynydd.	0:20:29	0:20:32
-From that time onwards, -Mr Roberts...	0:20:32	0:20:36
-..you needed no instruction in -the effect of a colliery tip slide.	0:20:36	0:20:40
-No, sir.	0:20:41	0:20:43
-As well as Cilfynydd...	0:20:43	0:20:45
-..Roberts knew -of a more recent slide too.	0:20:45	0:20:48
-We've travelled -a few miles from Cilfynydd...	0:20:49	0:20:52
-..heading towards the Rhondda.	0:20:52	0:20:55
-This is one of -the last wheels in South Wales.	0:20:55	0:20:58
-This is Ty Mawr colliery, -and it was here on 29 March 1965...	0:20:58	0:21:03
-..that another incident happened, 18 -months before the Aberfan tragedy.	0:21:04	0:21:09
-A load of waste -fell from the top of the tip...	0:21:09	0:21:12
-..causing damage to the railway, -the main road and the riverbanks.	0:21:13	0:21:17
-If it had happened at any other time -people would've lost their lives.	0:21:18	0:21:22
-There was also a possibility -of the waste falling into the shaft.	0:21:23	0:21:27
-The regional engineer decided -that it was time to take action.	0:21:28	0:21:32
-He remembered -about the memo that was written...	0:21:32	0:21:35
-..after the incident at Cilfynydd.	0:21:36	0:21:38
-He sought the Powell Memo.	0:21:38	0:21:40
-What happened to that document?	0:21:49	0:21:52
-It was delivered to -all the chief engineers in the area.	0:21:52	0:21:56
-It was an order -for them to work together...	0:21:56	0:21:59
-..to scrutinize the condition -of the coal tips and report back.	0:21:59	0:22:03
-In Aberfan, -it was David Lewis Roberts' duty...	0:22:04	0:22:07
-..and that of Robert Exley, -a civil engineer.	0:22:07	0:22:10
-The truth is that these two men -refused to adhere to the order.	0:22:10	0:22:16
-Roberts gave a very superficial -report and Exley submitted nothing.	0:22:16	0:22:21
-It has to be said that -the responses of these two men...	0:22:21	0:22:25
-..had been wholly insufficient.	0:22:25	0:22:27
-Tasker Watkins asked Lewis -how he responded to the Powell Memo.	0:22:27	0:22:33
-He was ordered -to work with Robert Exley...	0:22:34	0:22:37
-..in order to draft a report.	0:22:37	0:22:39
-The tribunal didn't understand -why Roberts ignored the order...	0:22:39	0:22:44
-..and wrote a feeble report himself.	0:22:44	0:22:46
-You and Mr Exley -were on quite good terms, were you?	0:22:47	0:22:51
-Reasonably good terms, I'd say.	0:22:51	0:22:54
-Why do you qualify it in that way?	0:22:54	0:22:56
-Why do you qualify it in that way? - -We would talk together...	0:22:56	0:22:58
-..but we'd fall out quite a lot -on various jobs.	0:22:59	0:23:02
-There were strained relations -between you and Mr Exley?	0:23:02	0:23:07
-I wouldn't like to -emphasise too much on that...	0:23:07	0:23:11
-..but I would say yes, my lord.	0:23:11	0:23:13
-OK, thank you.	0:23:13	0:23:15
-The relationship between both men -had broken down...	0:23:16	0:23:19
-..which resulted -in an inadequate response.	0:23:20	0:23:22
-Dangers at Aberfan -hadn't been reported.	0:23:23	0:23:26
-There's another dimension to David -Roberts' role in Aberfan's story.	0:23:26	0:23:31
-To learn more about that -you must come here...	0:23:31	0:23:34
-..to Dowlais public library -on the outskirts of Merthyr.	0:23:35	0:23:38
-This is a collection of letters -sent to the tribunal.	0:23:41	0:23:44
-The title says it all.	0:23:45	0:23:47
-Danger from Coal Slurry being tipped -at the rear of the Pantglas Schools.	0:23:47	0:23:52
-Officials at Merthyr Council...	0:23:52	0:23:54
-..regularly complained -about the condition of coal tips.	0:23:54	0:23:58
-David Roberts was responsible, he -acted on behalf of the coal board.	0:23:58	0:24:03
-It's obvious -he didn't take his role seriously.	0:24:03	0:24:06
-Listen to this sentence -from Merthyr's chief engineer...	0:24:07	0:24:11
-..back in August 1963.	0:24:11	0:24:13
-"You are no doubt well aware -that the tips at Merthyr Vale...	0:24:13	0:24:17
-"..tower above the Pantglas area, -and if they were to move...	0:24:17	0:24:21
-"..a very serious position -would accrue."	0:24:22	0:24:25
-David Roberts' response was, "Don't -worry, everything's under control."	0:24:25	0:24:31
-A day after Roberts gave evidence...	0:24:31	0:24:34
-..his co-worker, civil engineer -Robert Exley, was questioned.	0:24:34	0:24:38
-While Roberts -drafted a feeble report...	0:24:38	0:24:41
-..Exley submitted nothing at all.	0:24:42	0:24:44
-What would've happened -if he'd followed his instruction?	0:24:44	0:24:49
-If you'd carried out -a detailed examination...	0:24:49	0:24:53
-..you would've established -that the precautions were lacking.	0:24:53	0:24:56
-Probably, yes.	0:24:57	0:24:58
-Probably, yes. - -Certainly, Mr Exley.	0:24:58	0:25:00
-Bear in mind -the length of your qualifications...	0:25:00	0:25:04
-..and the extent -of your expertise...	0:25:04	0:25:06
-..with certainty, would you not?	0:25:06	0:25:09
-Yes, I think so, -with some investigation.	0:25:09	0:25:12
-This was important.	0:25:13	0:25:14
-Exley admitted -that if he'd examined tip No.7...	0:25:15	0:25:18
-..as the Powell Memo had instructed, -he would've had to condemn the tip.	0:25:18	0:25:23
-And so, in 1965...	0:25:24	0:25:25
-..if local experts -had heeded their instruction...	0:25:26	0:25:29
-..the dangers at Aberfan -would've been exposed.	0:25:29	0:25:33
-The NCB's argument that the disaster -had been unforeseeable...	0:25:33	0:25:37
-..was starting to unravel.	0:25:37	0:25:40
-.	0:25:41	0:25:41
-Subtitles	0:25:43	0:25:43
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:25:43	0:25:45
-Throughout the inquiry, the -coal board's solicitors argued...	0:25:49	0:25:53
-..that no-one could've predicted -the disaster and prevented it.	0:25:53	0:25:57
-When William Sheppard, an NCB -senior official, gave evidence...	0:25:57	0:26:02
-..the legal arguments -were weakening.	0:26:03	0:26:05
-Sheppard even denied -that the headquarters in London...	0:26:05	0:26:09
-..knew nothing of -historical incidents in South Wales.	0:26:09	0:26:13
-There was surely sufficient known -about the potential for tips...	0:26:14	0:26:18
-..on inclined surfaces to slide...	0:26:18	0:26:21
-..was there not?	0:26:21	0:26:23
-..was there not? - -Not as far as I'm concerned.	0:26:23	0:26:26
-Throughout the inquiry, Desmond -Ackner reminded the tribunal...	0:26:28	0:26:33
-..about Lord Robens' odd statement -at the outset...	0:26:33	0:26:37
-..about an unknown spring -under tip No.7.	0:26:37	0:26:41
-Not a single NCB official could -support or explain that statement.	0:26:41	0:26:47
-In his final summation -to the tribunal...	0:26:47	0:26:50
-..Ackner had criticized Robens -to such an extent...	0:26:50	0:26:53
-..that the NCB Chairman decided to -appear in order to defend himself.	0:26:54	0:26:59
-He was questioned -about his original statement...	0:26:59	0:27:02
-..in which he said it was impossible -to have known about the spring.	0:27:02	0:27:06
-After several hours, -Robens made an important statement.	0:27:07	0:27:11
-When did you first learn that the -causes were reasonably foreseeable?	0:27:11	0:27:16
-When I was on the mountainside -and I saw the work being done...	0:27:17	0:27:21
-..to turn that water -away from the tip and to channel it.	0:27:21	0:27:25
-Had there been experts about...	0:27:25	0:27:27
-..to recognize that on a -mountainside, where there's water...	0:27:27	0:27:31
-..this could be said -to have been foreseeable.	0:27:32	0:27:35
-Lord Robens' appearance...	0:27:36	0:27:38
-..before the tribunal -had therefore changed everything.	0:27:39	0:27:43
-If he and the NCB -had acknowledged on the first day...	0:27:44	0:27:48
-..what they acknowledged -on the 70th day...	0:27:49	0:27:52
-..they could've avoided -most of the tribunal's work.	0:27:52	0:27:56
-They agreed -that the disaster was foreseeable.	0:27:56	0:28:00
-They agreed they didn't have -a proper policy for the tips...	0:28:00	0:28:04
-..and they admitted there was -nothing special about the geology.	0:28:04	0:28:09
-In private, -the coal board's solicitors...	0:28:09	0:28:12
-..had been -rejecting demands for compensation.	0:28:12	0:28:15
-But following Lord Robens' -appearance before the tribunal...	0:28:16	0:28:20
-..everything changed.	0:28:20	0:28:22
-The board agreed to pay Aberfan -parents the minimum legal fee...	0:28:22	0:28:26
-..equating to 500 -for each child who was killed.	0:28:26	0:28:30
-Later, on day 70 of the inquiry...	0:28:30	0:28:34
-..Desmond Ackner -delivered his closing statement...	0:28:35	0:28:39
-..on behalf of the families.	0:28:39	0:28:41
-It was a powerful combination -of emotion and profundity.	0:28:41	0:28:45
-Those who died in this disaster...	0:28:45	0:28:47
-..lost their lives not because -of the occupational hazards...	0:28:48	0:28:52
-..which are ever present -in these mining valleys.	0:28:52	0:28:55
-There was no sudden collapse -of an underground working...	0:28:55	0:28:59
-..no unforeseen explosion.	0:28:59	0:29:02
-This was -a slow-growing, man-made menace...	0:29:03	0:29:07
-..fed by -the indifference of those...	0:29:07	0:29:10
-..who should -never have permitted its existence.	0:29:10	0:29:14
-That is the horror of this disaster.	0:29:14	0:29:16
-There can be -no more bitter reminder...	0:29:18	0:29:21
-..of the truth and wisdom -of Bernard Shaw's condemnation.	0:29:21	0:29:25
-"The worst sin towards our fellows -is not to hate them...	0:29:25	0:29:31
-"..it is to be indifferent to them.	0:29:31	0:29:34
-"For that -is the essence of inhumanity."	0:29:34	0:29:38
-Thank you, Mr Ackner.	0:29:41	0:29:43
-This morning, in this building...	0:29:48	0:29:50
-..the tribunal examining -the cause of the disaster ended.	0:29:50	0:29:55
-Hopefully now, the village of -Aberfan will have a chance to heal.	0:29:55	0:30:00
-On the third of August 1967...	0:30:05	0:30:08
-..this square in -the centre of Aberfan was crowded.	0:30:08	0:30:12
-This is where the tribunal's final -report was handed out to villagers.	0:30:12	0:30:17
-For nine of the coal board's -present and former staff...	0:30:17	0:30:21
-..the tribunal's findings -were very challenging.	0:30:21	0:30:26
-This was the jubilant moment -for Aberfan's residents.	0:30:26	0:30:31
-Justice at last, the truth exposed.	0:30:31	0:30:34
-Those responsible -were publicly named.	0:30:35	0:30:37
-Criticism of the NCB was scathing -throughout the tribunal.	0:30:37	0:30:42
-The NCB -was responsible for the disaster.	0:30:43	0:30:45
-There was -a total absence of tipping policy.	0:30:45	0:30:48
-Nine individuals -were criticized too...	0:30:50	0:30:53
-..amongst them -were important witnesses...	0:30:53	0:30:56
-..such as Vivian Thomas, -Robert Exley...	0:30:56	0:30:59
-..and David Roberts.	0:31:00	0:31:02
-However, none of the coal board's -senior officials were named.	0:31:02	0:31:07
-You might be wondering what happened -to the nine men who were named?	0:31:07	0:31:12
-Very little, in fact. None were -reprimanded and none were sacked.	0:31:12	0:31:18
-They should be -instantly dismissed.	0:31:18	0:31:20
-They shouldn't be allowed -to work for the coal board...	0:31:21	0:31:24
-..under any circumstances -at any job.	0:31:24	0:31:27
-I think it was -absolute neglect throughout.	0:31:28	0:31:32
-And if it wasn't for neglect...	0:31:32	0:31:34
-..I would have -my little girl with me today.	0:31:34	0:31:37
-There was another important -question. What about Lord Robens?	0:31:39	0:31:43
-The NCB was culpable.	0:31:43	0:31:45
-Would he tender his resignation?	0:31:46	0:31:48
-Lord Robens shouldn't resign, -he should be sacked.	0:31:48	0:31:52
-Surely he knew -all about these tips...	0:31:52	0:31:55
-..and what was -going on with the collieries?	0:31:55	0:31:58
-Other than that he was accepting -money under false pretences.	0:31:58	0:32:02
-Robens insisted on seeing a copy -of the report beforehand.	0:32:03	0:32:06
-He visited the coalfields, promising -to safeguard the industry...	0:32:07	0:32:10
-..at a time when nuclear energy -was becoming more popular.	0:32:11	0:32:14
-He received hundreds of letters -of support, even from miners.	0:32:15	0:32:20
-You must've had -a number of offers from industry.	0:32:20	0:32:23
-Yes, that's perfectly true.	0:32:24	0:32:26
-There's no difficulty -about getting another job...	0:32:26	0:32:29
-..at three times the money -they pay me at the coal board...	0:32:29	0:32:33
-..but money isn't important.	0:32:33	0:32:35
-Then he travelled -to the United States...	0:32:35	0:32:38
-..to make sure -no-one could get hold of him.	0:32:38	0:32:41
-He tendered -his letter of resignation...	0:32:42	0:32:45
-..but it wasn't taken seriously.	0:32:45	0:32:48
-He was a powerful man with friends -in the press, the government...	0:32:48	0:32:53
-..and in the miners' union too.	0:32:53	0:32:55
-He kept his job -and when his contract ended...	0:32:55	0:32:59
-..what happened next -still beggars belief.	0:32:59	0:33:02
-After chairing the NCB...	0:33:03	0:33:06
-..the board -responsible for 144 deaths here...	0:33:06	0:33:11
-..he went on to lead a study into -health and safety in the workplace.	0:33:11	0:33:16
-Yes, he really did.	0:33:16	0:33:18
-.	0:33:20	0:33:20
-Subtitles	0:33:24	0:33:24
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:33:24	0:33:26
-The period following Edmund Davies' -report into the Aberfan disaster...	0:33:30	0:33:35
-..was complicated.	0:33:35	0:33:37
-No legal action was taken by Aberfan -residents or the authorities.	0:33:38	0:33:44
-Lord Robens continued in his job...	0:33:44	0:33:47
-..but one thing still concerned -the people of Aberfan.	0:33:47	0:33:51
-The report dealt with many issues -but it's hard to believe...	0:33:54	0:33:57
-..that it didn't deal with the main -thing that concerned local people.	0:33:58	0:34:03
-The future of the coal tips.	0:34:03	0:34:05
-There was no plan in place -to deal with those.	0:34:05	0:34:08
-Therefore, -a group of ministers decided...	0:34:08	0:34:12
-..they should -formulate their own strategy.	0:34:12	0:34:15
-This is where they'd meet - -at Ty Toronto...	0:34:15	0:34:18
-..which was originally -a small caravan...	0:34:18	0:34:21
-..donated by -the Welsh Churches of Canada.	0:34:22	0:34:25
-But this is where they'd meet, -led by Erastus Jones.	0:34:25	0:34:29
-They made a clear decision.	0:34:29	0:34:31
-There was no way -for local people to move on...	0:34:31	0:34:34
-..if the coal tips still existed.	0:34:34	0:34:37
-We held -the first of our conferences.	0:34:38	0:34:42
-It was called The Way Forward.	0:34:42	0:34:46
-In order to move on, it was vital -that the tips were removed.	0:34:46	0:34:52
-They still slid from time to time...	0:34:53	0:34:56
-..when there was a lot of rainfall.	0:34:56	0:34:59
-People couldn't sleep at night -when it was raining.	0:34:59	0:35:03
-Emotionally and psychologically, -the tips needed to be removed.	0:35:03	0:35:08
-We were dealing not just -with bereaved individuals...	0:35:09	0:35:13
-..not just bereaved families -but a bereaved community.	0:35:13	0:35:17
-I think those meetings gave people -strength and determination.	0:35:17	0:35:23
-Those meetings brought us together.	0:35:23	0:35:26
-The public outcry was clear...	0:35:27	0:35:29
-..and the residents of Aberfan -had spoken.	0:35:29	0:35:32
-There was no possibility of moving -on and building a new future...	0:35:33	0:35:37
-..unless the coal tips were removed.	0:35:37	0:35:40
-A committee was formed...	0:35:40	0:35:42
-..and throughout 1967 and 1968...	0:35:42	0:35:45
-..they tried to address this issue -but their efforts were in vain.	0:35:46	0:35:50
-In spite of everything -they'd suffered here...	0:35:50	0:35:54
-..there was little sympathy -within government ranks...	0:35:54	0:35:58
-..towards the community's demands.	0:35:58	0:36:00
-This is the Aberfan tip-removal -committee. The meeting's tonight.	0:36:01	0:36:06
-The Secretary of State for Wales has -declined an invitation to attend.	0:36:06	0:36:11
-He's saying the tips -cannot be removed for three reasons.	0:36:11	0:36:15
-A, it would take too long, -B, it would cost too much...	0:36:15	0:36:19
-..and C, two of the tips -are already on fire.	0:36:19	0:36:22
-By June 1968...	0:36:24	0:36:26
-..the tip-removal committee -was fed up.	0:36:26	0:36:30
-Nobody listened to them, -and they sent a letter here...	0:36:30	0:36:34
-..to the Welsh Office, -as it was back then...	0:36:34	0:36:37
-..home of Wales' most important -politician, George Thomas...	0:36:37	0:36:41
-..a native of the Valleys, -as it happened.	0:36:41	0:36:44
-They told him they were fed up -of being treated like children...	0:36:45	0:36:49
-..and that nobody -was taking any notice.	0:36:49	0:36:52
-Unless the tips were removed -they would take further action.	0:36:52	0:36:56
-It's time for militant action.	0:36:56	0:36:58
-We can carry these tips manually -and dump them on their doorsteps.	0:36:59	0:37:04
-My father had been angered by -the attitude of the authorities...	0:37:04	0:37:10
-..regarding the tips.	0:37:10	0:37:13
-They refused -to listen to the residents...	0:37:13	0:37:16
-..and insisted they knew better.	0:37:16	0:37:19
-They were ruthless, in fact.	0:37:19	0:37:22
-On 20 June 1968...	0:37:23	0:37:26
-..a very important meeting -was held here at the Welsh Office.	0:37:26	0:37:31
-It was a clash between George -Thomas, the Welsh Secretary...	0:37:31	0:37:35
-..and Aberfan leaders.	0:37:36	0:37:38
-A crowd of villagers -had also come along in support.	0:37:38	0:37:42
-Everyone had hoped for -a positive outcome.	0:37:42	0:37:45
-Once it became clear that George -Thomas refused to compromise...	0:37:46	0:37:50
-..the crowd took action.	0:37:50	0:37:52
-Villagers stormed the building -and climbed the stairs.	0:37:57	0:38:01
-They'd brought a bag full of -coal waste from the tips in Aberfan.	0:38:02	0:38:06
-They threw the waste on the floor -and on one of the tables.	0:38:07	0:38:10
-They wanted George Thomas...	0:38:11	0:38:13
-..but he was nowhere to be seen.	0:38:13	0:38:15
-He was hiding somewhere -in the building.	0:38:16	0:38:18
-The protestors were asked to leave -and they refused.	0:38:19	0:38:22
-George Thomas realized there was no -way of avoiding the confrontation.	0:38:22	0:38:28
-He was told off -in English and in Welsh.	0:38:28	0:38:32
-I said, "We'll remove it ourselves, -bit by bit...	0:38:32	0:38:36
-"..and send it to all you people."	0:38:36	0:38:39
-After the difficult meeting -in this building...	0:38:40	0:38:43
-..George Thomas changed his mind -and announced a new policy.	0:38:43	0:38:47
-It was cause for celebration -in Aberfan.	0:38:48	0:38:50
-But they hadn't realized that -George had stipulated a condition.	0:38:51	0:38:56
-A disaster fund was set up -and it received worldwide donations.	0:38:57	0:39:03
-The total -soon reached 1.75 million.	0:39:03	0:39:07
-The government was mindful of that -when it came to removing the tips.	0:39:08	0:39:12
-Robens had said -the NCB wouldn't foot the bill...	0:39:13	0:39:16
-..so George Thomas demanded -a contribution from the residents.	0:39:16	0:39:21
-It forced the people Aberfan -to make a decision...	0:39:21	0:39:25
-..between clearing the past -or creating a future.	0:39:25	0:39:29
-There wasn't enough money -in the budget to do both.	0:39:29	0:39:33
-Let's be clear about this...	0:39:34	0:39:36
-..because -it's still hard to believe nowadays.	0:39:36	0:39:40
-The government -wanted to take 750,000...	0:39:40	0:39:44
-..from the Aberfan disaster fund -to remove the tips.	0:39:44	0:39:47
-They're going to consider -what they pay.	0:39:48	0:39:51
-Of course, they will pay -what they can afford...	0:39:51	0:39:55
-..but the scheme -will depend on what they pay.	0:39:55	0:39:59
-Let's not forget that the -government at the time was happy...	0:40:00	0:40:04
-..to spend millions of pounds on -regenerating old industrial sites.	0:40:04	0:40:08
-Those communities -didn't have to pay...	0:40:09	0:40:12
-..and they hadn't suffered -like the people of Aberfan.	0:40:12	0:40:15
-Though the sum -had later dropped to 150,000...	0:40:17	0:40:20
-..Aberfan's solicitors -maintained it was illegal...	0:40:20	0:40:24
-..to use charitable donations -to remove the tips.	0:40:24	0:40:27
-But the trustees were under pressure -and they decided to pay.	0:40:28	0:40:32
-The question is...	0:40:32	0:40:34
-..why did the trustees -give the government 150,000...	0:40:34	0:40:38
-..knowing the practice was illegal?	0:40:39	0:40:42
-It makes no sense to us today, -but many factors were to blame.	0:40:42	0:40:46
-Firstly, the trustees were -under pressure to make a decision.	0:40:47	0:40:51
-Secondly, the Charity Commission -had been nothing but a pain...	0:40:51	0:40:56
-..and thirdly, -and more importantly...	0:40:57	0:41:00
-..it was feared -the tips would remain...	0:41:00	0:41:03
-..unless this money was paid.	0:41:03	0:41:06
-Ultimately, -they felt they had no choice.	0:41:06	0:41:10
-The work -of removing the tips began in 1969.	0:41:12	0:41:15
-During the Aberfan aftermath...	0:41:16	0:41:18
-..the media had focused -on tensions amongst the villagers.	0:41:19	0:41:24
-However, great effort had -gone into uniting the community.	0:41:24	0:41:28
-A memorial garden was built.	0:41:28	0:41:30
-Plans were under way -to rebuild the village.	0:41:31	0:41:34
-As a community...	0:41:34	0:41:37
-..we've been divided...	0:41:37	0:41:39
-..because the effect -hasn't been the same for us all.	0:41:39	0:41:43
-We don't all feel the same.	0:41:43	0:41:47
-But since then, -we've rallied together...	0:41:48	0:41:51
-..and got to know people -we didn't know before.	0:41:51	0:41:56
-They've pulled together...	0:41:56	0:41:59
-..and created something wonderful -from this community.	0:41:59	0:42:04
-If you're looking -for visual evidence...	0:42:04	0:42:07
-..of the regeneration after -the tragedy, then look no further.	0:42:07	0:42:11
-This is the community centre -which was opened in 1973.	0:42:11	0:42:15
-The first event held -in this large hall was a conference.	0:42:15	0:42:19
-The conference's slogan was, -Call to the Valleys.	0:42:20	0:42:23
-The media -had been portraying Aberfan...	0:42:24	0:42:28
-..as a divided community, -and a bitter one at that.	0:42:28	0:42:31
-Suddenly, -Aberfan became an example...	0:42:31	0:42:34
-..of a sensible policy -to the rest of South Wales.	0:42:35	0:42:38
-As people, we intend to embrace -what we've learnt during the year...	0:42:39	0:42:45
-..by formulating a strategy -and a programme for our future.	0:42:45	0:42:51
-There's such a sense of emergency -in the Valleys...	0:42:51	0:42:55
-..that we can proffer Aberfan, -after the last experience...	0:42:56	0:43:01
-..as an opportunity -for people to come together.	0:43:01	0:43:04
-The residents of Aberfan...	0:43:07	0:43:10
-..tried to look to the future -with confidence...	0:43:10	0:43:14
-..but there remained one obstacle.	0:43:14	0:43:17
-The government -had taken 150,000 from the fund.	0:43:17	0:43:20
-It was completely unjustifiable, -of course...	0:43:20	0:43:24
-..but it also created practical -problems here at the centre.	0:43:24	0:43:29
-Due to inflation and rising costs...	0:43:29	0:43:32
-..the situation -has deteriorated badly.	0:43:34	0:43:37
-In the end, -no money will be earmarked...	0:43:38	0:43:41
-..for the community centre.	0:43:42	0:43:44
-Community leaders -and local politicians...	0:43:46	0:43:49
-..still argued that the 150,000 -taken from the disaster fund...	0:43:49	0:43:54
-..should be paid back.	0:43:54	0:43:56
-An effort was made to introduce -a measure at Westminster...	0:43:56	0:44:00
-..forcing the government -to repay the money.	0:44:01	0:44:04
-We asked them a year ago -to repay the money...	0:44:04	0:44:07
-..but they said they had no right.	0:44:07	0:44:09
-We're offering this parliamentary -measure to force them...	0:44:09	0:44:14
-..to pay back the money.	0:44:14	0:44:16
-The government apologized for -not being able to repay the money.	0:44:16	0:44:20
-Now they're saying -they don't want to repay it.	0:44:21	0:44:24
-Every effort resulted in failure.	0:44:26	0:44:29
-By the end of the 1980s...	0:44:30	0:44:31
-..management of the centre -went to the local council.	0:44:32	0:44:36
-There were fears over the future -of the memorial garden and cemetery.	0:44:36	0:44:41
-They had to wait 30 years...	0:44:43	0:44:45
-..for change and for justice.	0:44:45	0:44:48
-In 1997 a new Labour government -was elected with a large majority.	0:44:48	0:44:53
-A new Welsh Secretary -was sworn in...	0:44:53	0:44:56
-..and he was determined -to do the right thing.	0:44:56	0:45:00
-At the same time, official documents -had been released publicly...	0:45:00	0:45:05
-..which shone new light -on the behaviour of Lord Robens...	0:45:05	0:45:09
-..the Charity Commission -and several Labour politicians...	0:45:09	0:45:13
-..who'd disregarded -the people of Aberfan.	0:45:14	0:45:16
-It wasn't only returning the money -but it was a public apology...	0:45:17	0:45:21
-..from the most senior politician -that there was at a Welsh level.	0:45:21	0:45:26
-I was apologizing for the actions -of one of my predecessors.	0:45:26	0:45:30
-I was saying, "That was wrong."	0:45:30	0:45:33
-Paying 150,000 -back into the fund...	0:45:33	0:45:36
-..was a public statement, that this -community had been wrongly treated.	0:45:36	0:45:41
-A decade later, the Welsh government -paid a far higher sum...	0:45:41	0:45:46
-..equivalent to the sum -that was taken out back in 1968.	0:45:46	0:45:50
-In 2007, taking into account -interest and inflation...	0:45:52	0:45:55
-..the Welsh government paid 2m -into the Aberfan disaster fund.	0:45:56	0:46:00
-Everyone regarded it -as a tragedy for Wales.	0:46:00	0:46:03
-Now we had a government in Wales...	0:46:04	0:46:06
-..they could -reverse the injustice...	0:46:07	0:46:10
-..on behalf of the Welsh nation.	0:46:10	0:46:13
-The future -of the memorials was safe...	0:46:14	0:46:16
-..and the charity was able to fulfil -one of its original objectives...	0:46:17	0:46:22
-..which was to invest -in the future of Aberfan's children.	0:46:22	0:46:26
-The Aberfan Educational Charity -has been generous to us.	0:46:27	0:46:30
-The resources we've received -have been of the highest standard.	0:46:31	0:46:35
-When we publicize our donations -from the fund...	0:46:35	0:46:38
-..the people of Aberfan and Merthyr -Vale are incredibly grateful...	0:46:39	0:46:43
-..especially the older generation...	0:46:44	0:46:47
-..who've lived through -the aftermath of the disaster.	0:46:47	0:46:51
-All the schools in the local area -receive financial aid from the fund.	0:46:51	0:46:56
-The future of the memorials -are now safe.	0:46:56	0:46:59
-There's a lovely tranquillity -in the memorial garden...	0:46:59	0:47:03
-..built on the site -of Pantglas Junior School.	0:47:04	0:47:07
-It's a place to reflect -on the atrocity of 50 years ago...	0:47:07	0:47:11
-..and it's also a place to reflect -on the support many have given...	0:47:11	0:47:15
-..to the local community.	0:47:15	0:47:17
-I'm sitting on a bench dedicated -to the memory of one of those.	0:47:17	0:47:21
-Barrister Desmond Ackner.	0:47:22	0:47:23
-For many Aberfan families...	0:47:24	0:47:26
-..he was the Great Protector.	0:47:26	0:47:30
-This garden is a symbol -to the rest of the world.	0:47:30	0:47:33
-A symbol of a community -overcome by loss...	0:47:34	0:47:37
-..a community -determined to rebuild itself...	0:47:37	0:47:40
-..gradually and courageously...	0:47:40	0:47:42
-..without losing the desire -for the truth and for justice.	0:47:43	0:47:47
-As we mark -the disaster's 50th anniversary...	0:47:47	0:47:50
-..that's the sentiment that the -Aberfan community holds to this day.	0:47:50	0:47:55
-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.	0:48:21	0:48:23
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Aberfan: Yr Ymchwiliad Aberfan

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