§ MR. JOHN LOCKEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been drawn to the explosion of a Fire-work Manufactory which took place last month in Regent Street, Lambeth Walk, resulting in the death of three persons; and, if so, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to adopt any measures for the removal of such buildings out of crowded neighbourhoods?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that a memorial upon the subject of the explosion to which his hon. and learned Friend referred had been received at the Home Office, and had been referred to the Chief Commissioner of Police for his report, which had not yet been received. With respect to the general question, he would take that opportunity of stating that his attention had been called during the recess to the frequency of accidents arising from the manufacture of gunpowder and of different other explosive substances, and the defective state of the law upon that subject. He had at present under consideration a Bill for the consolidation and amendment of the law relating to the manufacture of those substances, and he hoped before long to be able to bring that measure under the notice of the House.