HC Deb 20 May 1856 vol 142 cc429-30
MR. MONTAGU CHAMBERS

said, he would beg to ask the hon. Under Secretary for War, in the absence of the Clerk of the Ordnance, a question on a subject of very melancholy importance. A dreadful accident had occurred on Saturday, at Woolwich Arsenal, by which six men had lost their lives. Two different statements had been published, the one stating that the men were employed in making percussion powder for percussion caps; and the other, that they were employed in preparing fireworks. It was desirable that an official investigation should take place into the circumstances. He wished, therefore, to know whether the men were employed in the manufacture of percussion powder, or of the ingredients for fireworks?

MR. FREDERICK PEEL

said, he was unable to say whether the late explosion at Woolwich, which was attended with such melancholy consequences, was caused by the manufacture of percussion caps or of fireworks.

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