§ MR. FINDLATERasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether any complaints have been made to the Board of Trade as to the great danger arising from the packing of gunpowder and other explosives for sea-going vessels in copper magazines with fuses introduced therewith; was not such packing the cause of the explosion which took place on board the Aberdeen on Saturday last at Gravesend, although the Examiner of the Board of Trade a short time before examined the magazine and pronounced it all safe, or if no such complaints have been made, can he state whether any report of the causes which occasioned the before-mentioned lamentable accident has been furnished to the Board of Trade; and, if not, will a full inquiry be at once instituted into all the circumstances?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, I have no complete information as to the circumstances mentioned in the Question of the hon. Member; but the matter is one which deserves full consideration. I have, therefore, communicated with the Home Office on the subject, and I believe my right hon. and learned Friend will order that an inquiry shall be made, and it will be conducted by Major Majendie.