HC Deb 24 August 1893 vol 16 cc964-5
MR. PICKERSGILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a letter in The Daily News of 23rd instant, signed J. A. J. Brindley, in which the writer states that a few days ago Cranmere Pool, a portion of Dartmoor much frequented by tourists and others, was for the space of half an hour bombarded with shells by 18 guns, without any notice being given or precautions taken for the safety of the public; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the truth of these allegations? Perhaps I may be permitted to add that in The Daily News to-day is another signed letter, the writer of which says that proper precautions were taken by the military on the Okehampton side. The writer of the original letter, it appeared, approached the Pool from the other side.

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

A full Report has been called for from the Local Authorities. All at present known is that the position by Cranmere Pool was, on the 18th instant, the object of fire; that notice of this was given in the local papers, and that steps were taken to warn off the public.