§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)I wish to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any information as to a fresh explosion which is reported to have taken place at Waltham Abbey?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,&c.) Stirling,No, Sir; I have received no information whatever, although I have endeavoured to obtain it. There is, I believe, some information to that effect in the newspapers, although I have not received it. I should deeply deplore any such occurrence.
§ Subsequently,—
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANsaid: I have received through the Financial Secretary to the War Office a telegram from the superintendent of the gunpowder factory at Waltham. It reads—
I regret to say that at noon to-day there was an explosion at Joyce's cartridge factory in this town: four men injured.I deplore the accident wherever it occurred; but it is some satisfaction to know that it is not a repetition of the recent melancholy accident in the Government factory.