HC Deb 25 July 1887 vol 317 c1902
MR. WOODALL (Hanley)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he can give the House any information respecting the unfortunate occurrence at Spithead on Saturday?

THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)

I can only answer the Question generally, as I did not know before coming down that the hon. Gentleman intended putting it to me. Four men were unfortunately injured, as stated in the newspapers, by the premature explosion of a saluting charge. They were taken to the hospital, and I am sorry to say one of the men died shortly after. The last report I heard of the remaining three was that they were progressing favourably.

MR. WOODALL

Has the noble Lord no information as to the cause of the accident?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

It is, as I stated, a saluting charge which exploded prematurely. Whether all the precautions that should have been taken were taken I cannot state.