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16:10Five, Minister.
16:1960 bodies recovered so far.
16:22And counting.
16:26Quiet! Quiet!
16:28Quiet!
16:57Back to work, everyone!
16:59Back to work!
17:03Every time the whistle blows, it means they think they've heard something.
17:07Another child trapped beneath the wreckage.
17:17Come on!
17:23Next step, next step.
17:57I guarantee you, the highest level independent inquiry into this tragedy.
18:06All the necessary matters will be given to those in charge to take whatever action they need.
18:14Have they neglected the truth?
18:15Does the blame lie in the last of the dead?
18:17Have they neglected the truth?
18:18Have they neglected the truth of the population?
18:20No intention of adding to anything I've made in my state.
18:25It's a bit late now.
18:28We've been turning our room for years, those tips are dangerous.
18:38There was a disaster waiting to happen, and no one listened.
18:44...casualties in the tip disaster in South Wales could be as high as 200.
18:4836 people remain in hospital, 23 bodies have been recovered,
18:51and estimates suggest that as many as 150 more are still missing, most of them children.
19:06What are you doing?
19:08You haven't heard the news.
19:09No, I've been at Caroline's birthday party.
19:14When you read the papers tomorrow, you'll understand.
19:23You haven't heard the news.
19:32No, I won't be there.
19:32I've been in our hands.
19:34You're right there.
19:35We've been in the past.
19:35No, we're in the past.
19:44No, we've been in the past.
19:45That's okay.
19:45You talk fast.
19:57The smoke continues to hamper rescue efforts tonight in the village of Abadhan, South Wales.
20:02So far, 67 bodies, mostly children, have been pulled from the wreckage of Pant Glass Junior School,
20:08which was struck by coal waste from a nearby tip.
20:12Hope remains for many more still missing, but work to recover bodies is likely to continue through the night.
20:18The Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, visited the scene today,
20:20and Buckingham Palace have issued a statement of sorrow from the Queen.
20:24The message reads,
20:25I am shocked and distressed to learn of the terrible disaster which has taken place at Abadhan.
20:30Please convey a message of my heartfelt sympathy from my husband and myself
20:34to the children's parents and to the families of those who have lost their lives.
20:39That's the news from us at the moment.
20:41Now back to London.
20:43There will be special reports during the evening.
21:10Prime Minister, ma'am.
21:13As of an hour ago, the loss of life in Abadhan stands at 116.
21:18Now it appears that over 80 is still missing.
21:2136 of the survivors have been hospitalised.
21:23I see.
21:25Are any more victims expected to be found?
21:28Not alive, ma'am.
21:30To make matters worse, it has been reported that the north shoulder of tip 7 has moved
21:34and the village is ready for immediate evacuation.
21:37Mechanical diggers are out of action, bogged down in the soggy mud.
21:42The military have been brought into hell.
21:44Now, given all this, I was hoping I might persuade you to go.
21:55One of the most unfortunate things about being sovereign I have discovered
21:59is that you've paralysed virtually any situation you walk into.
22:03The very last thing emergency and rescue services need
22:07when they're working against the clock is a queen turning up.
22:17I'm not sure I agree.
22:20Children have died.
22:22The community is devastated.
22:26What precisely would you have me do?
22:32We'll comfort people.
22:34Put on a show.
22:36The Crown doesn't do that.
22:41I didn't say put on a show.
22:43I said comfort people.
23:01Your Majesty.
23:08I...
23:36Let's go.
23:39morning darling tea would anyone object if i had something stronger coffee no i was thinking
23:46whiskey margaret it's nine o'clock yes i know but it's not morning not my world anyway
23:55tony court in the small hours from a poor box in the middle of nowhere
24:07that's me can you do something for me you told me to go into the children's bedrooms
24:16and kiss them while they slept
24:24as soon as he got to abban he went straight to the school
24:38it was unimaginably awful
24:43miners used to digging for coal now digging to reach their children
24:53many of them spent several hours stuck under the mud beside dead friends
24:58buried alive running out of there
25:04he then went to the mortuary where people were waiting to identify the children's bodies
25:12nurses and salvation army volunteers they were writing a description of each adult
25:17each child noting any possessions they found in their pockets like like a handkerchief or
25:27sweets anything to help identify them
25:45and from there i went to the hospital
25:49but there he comforted a man
25:51he was holding his son's school cap
25:56after the hospitals he wanted to walk back to the house where he's due to stay
26:02but he carried on walking
26:06and walking
26:21i've never heard him like that
26:26I hope I never do again.
26:39We have Geoffrey Morgan from the National Coal Board.
26:42I'm George Thomas, Minister of State for Wales, here to answer our question.
26:47Will you both accept responsibility?
26:51The National Coal Board cannot accept responsibility for the weather.
26:57Abnormal levels of rainfall have created extraordinary conditions.
27:02You've known about the spring under the tip for years. I wrote to you.
27:07So did I.
27:08That's what's caused this, not rainfall.
27:10And nothing was done.
27:12Buried alive by the National Coal Board.
27:16That's what I want to see written on my child's desk.
27:20What about financial assistance?
27:23We've got people in dire need now.
27:26When's government going to step in?
27:30Let us be quite clear.
27:34A dreadful tragedy has taken place.
27:37But blame for that cannot be placed at the door of the Labour Party.
27:42Tip number seven was made in 1958 when the Labour Party wasn't in power.
27:49I had a visit today from certain members of the Cabinet.
27:54You need to tell me who.
27:56Who are concerned that this is all turning political.
27:59Of course it's turning political.
28:02And they want you to do something to deflect the blame.
28:06Their view is, if the Labour government pay the price for this tragedy, and the Tories make political capital from
28:12it, it would be obscene.
28:13And a betrayal.
28:14Not just of the people of South Wales, but of all of us in the movement.
28:18We've been waiting for this for too long, Harold.
28:22Thirteen years in opposition.
28:24And now we're finally in power, in government.
28:27We cannot allow ourselves to be crucified on the altar of public opinion over something that isn't our fault.
28:34Oh, when people are angry, they throw stones at their leaders.
28:38Then it's the duty not just to deflect that anger, but to show solidarity with our supporters.
28:43Oh.
28:45This is grief, Marcia.
28:47It's injustice.
28:48It's just another in a long list of injustices.
28:51There's parents grieving their children.
28:53It's also a cold-hearted refusal to accept responsibility by the people who are to blame.
28:59The Tories.
29:00And now they're making us the scapegoats.
29:03Well, what do you want me to do about it?
29:06Make sure they take the blame.
29:08And if you can't blame it on the Tories, and you won't press it in the House,
29:12and you can't go after the NCB until the tribunal is over,
29:15then perhaps we should look for another establishment figure to deflect negative attention.
29:24Who?
29:26Her.
29:28The Queen.
29:30But you must admit, her behaviour is symptomatic of establishment neglect.
29:35Her behaviour is unfortunate.
29:38You went to see her today, didn't you?
29:41Yes.
29:42And you asked her again to go?
29:44Yes.
29:46And what did she say?
29:47The crown doesn't go.
29:50Something like that.
29:52The Duke of Edinburgh is now going.
29:55They pulled him away from some duck shoot.
29:58Yes, but she isn't.
30:00Perhaps there's good reason for that.
30:03Maybe she finds that kind of situation difficult.
30:07Losing your children is difficult.
30:11Losing brothers and sisters is difficult.
30:15Living in a mining village where the coal board abandons you is difficult.
30:19And instead of sticking the knife in her and allowing us all to vent our anger at someone cold-hearted,
30:25you'd sooner let your own team take the blame.
30:27You're pathetic.
30:28You disgust me.
30:29So you keep telling me.
30:30If you ever want to be a real leader, a real man, a real socialist, you're going to have to
30:37grow some balls.
30:40The MCB is a creation of the Labour Party.
30:48This is a government-made disaster.
30:53Take responsibility.
30:55Take responsibility.
31:17This, this, this, this...
31:46And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
31:51And there shall be no more death.
31:55Neither sorrow nor crying.
31:58Neither shall there be any more pain.
32:03For the former things are passed away.
32:10Fear not, for I am with thee.
32:14He shall feed his flock like a shepherd.
32:17He shall gather the lambs with his arm.
32:20And carry them in his bosom.
32:22And shall gently leave those that are with young.
32:26And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.
32:33And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.
32:41And I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
32:48I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth.
32:55I heard a voice from heaven.
33:09Amen.
33:18Amen.
33:26Amen.
33:33Amen.
33:36Amen.
33:45Amen.
33:50Amen.
33:53Amen.
33:54Amen.
33:54Love my love.
33:59Amen.
34:04Amen.
34:06Amen.
34:06Amen.
34:06Oh, my God.
34:51How was it?
34:53Extraordinary.
34:57The grief, the anger at the government, at the co-board, but at God, too.
35:0681 children were buried today.
35:10The rage in all the faces behind all the guys.
35:16They didn't smash things up. They didn't fight in the streets.
35:21What did they do?
35:22They sang. The whole community.
35:27It's the most astonishing thing I've ever heard.
35:37Did you weep?
35:41Did I weep?
35:47What kind of question is that?
35:50Just a question. Did you weep?
35:54I might have wept, yes.
35:56Are you going to tell me it was inappropriate?
35:59And the fact is, anyone who heard that hymn today would not just have wept.
36:09It would have been broken into a thousand tiny pieces.
36:37I see you.
36:41Thank you for letting me know.
36:47We've had a tip-off from a friendly newspaper editor.
36:51The government, determined not to take the blame for Aberfan,
36:55have decided to refocus the subject of the national conversation,
37:02and as briefed newspapers as that.
37:07One person has been conspicuously absent from Aberfan,
37:11and that is our Queen.
37:13The scandalous lack of care and interest,
37:15one can only assume it is that by our head of state,
37:19is symptomatic of a lack of care from the traditional establishment,
37:23not just for the people of Wales, but for the whole working class.
37:36And the Prime Minister gave that his blessing?
37:40I think we have to assume so.
38:15On arrival at RAF St. Athaan, you will be received by Sokena Traherne,
38:21Lord- panelist for Glamorgan,
38:22and taken via car to the school disaster sight in Aberfan.
38:28Then on to the Bithania Chapel for presentation of the heroes and survivors of the disaster.
38:35There will then be a visit to the cemetery, where you will lay a wreath, and finally a
38:40visit to the home of a local miner, Thomas Edwards, who lost relatives in the disaster,
38:45and scheduled conversations with several other grieving families.
38:50A whole trip should be approximately two and a half hours.
38:54Without wishing to prompt, Your Majesty, you may wish to consider that this is Wales,
39:01not England.
39:02A display of emotion would not just be considered appropriate, it's expected.
39:32It would also be�� tercer, but it would also be considered appropriate, if you wish to
42:02Sorry.
42:04Thomas and Gwen Edwards, ma'am, whose home this is, they lost their two children, and this is Howell, Gwen's
42:13father, who managed to rescue one of the grandchildren.
42:18Sarah, she has something for you, ma'am.
42:25From the remaining children of Abelan.
42:31Come.
42:34Come.
42:58We're so glad.
43:02Oh, wow.
43:04Can I have you, ma'am?
43:05Say this, ma'am.
43:10It's great, ma'am.
43:39The Duke of Edinburgh.
43:40Sarah, said the family sung a hymn when they buried their children.
43:45Yes, ma'am.
43:48Is there any way I might hear it?
43:50I'm sure we can find a recording.
43:55And I'll ask the Prime Minister to come and see me as soon as possible.
43:59Yes, ma'am.
43:59And I'll ask the Prime Minister to come and see you as soon as possible.
44:47The Prime Minister, Your Majesty.
44:50Your Majesty.
45:02Churchill would have had the character to do it face to face.
45:07Come to think of it, so would Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan.
45:12Each of them would have had the courage to express their anger to me directly.
45:16None of them would ever have resorted to going behind my back like that.
45:23I have it on authority.
45:25You tipped off journalists that I was letting the side down by not going to Aberfan.
45:30Never.
45:31It wasn't you?
45:32No, ma'am.
45:37But perhaps one or two of my colleagues concerned at the anger being directed at the government.
45:44Broke ranks.
45:45Took matters into their own hands.
45:50It's possible.
46:03Perhaps they're right.
46:06The people of Aberfan deserved a prompt response.
46:09They didn't get one.
46:10They deserved a display of compassion, of empathy from their Queen.
46:15And they got it yesterday.
46:17They got nothing.
46:19I dabbed a bone-dry eye and by some miracle no one noticed.
46:32After the Blitz, when we visited hospitals, I saw what my parents, the King and Queen, saw.
46:41They wept.
46:43I couldn't.
46:45Well, you were a child.
46:48What do you expect?
46:49Not just as a child.
46:51When my grandmother, Queen Mary, whom I loved very much, when she died, nothing.
47:05Well, if she'd been ill a long time, it had been expected.
47:09When I had my first child, a moment of such significance for every mother.
47:23I have known for some time, there is something wrong with me.
47:28Not wrong.
47:30Deficient, then.
47:32How else would you describe it when something is missing?
47:40These meetings are confidential, yes.
47:46I have never done a day's manual work in my life.
47:51Not one.
47:52I am an academic.
47:54A privileged Oxford dom.
47:56Not a worker.
47:59I don't like beer.
48:01I prefer brandy.
48:04I prefer wild salmon to tinned salmon.
48:08Chateaubriand to stained kidney pie.
48:12And I don't like pipe smoking.
48:15I far prefer cigars.
48:19But cigars are a symbol of capitalist privilege.
48:23So, I smoke a pipe.
48:26On the campaign trail and on television.
48:29Makes me more approachable.
48:35Likeable.
48:40We can't be everything to everyone and still be true to ourselves.
48:46We do what we have to do as leaders.
48:49That's our job.
48:51Our job is to calm more crises than we create.
48:56That's our job.
48:57And you do it very well indeed.
49:01And in a way, your absence of emotion is a blessing.
49:07No one needs hysteria from a head of state.
49:14The truth is, we barely need humanity.
49:33Prime Minister.
49:38Your Majesty.
49:41Your Majesty.
49:43Your Majesty.
49:46Your Majesty.
49:51Your Majesty.
49:57I'm cupad.
50:01If that, I'll try my maths talk.
50:03I'm cupad.
50:03Put that.
50:03I'm cupad.
50:12I'm cupad.
50:14I'm cupad.
50:17But there's still there.
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