§ MR. W. WICKHAM (Hants, Petersfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that at the recent conflagration at Winchester Barracks there was no adequate supply of water, and also that no fire-buckets were available; and, if so, whether precautions have been taken against any such want of common precaution in cases of fires breaking out in other buildings under the charge of the War Office?
§ *THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) HanleyThere was no failure in the supply of water during the recent fire at Winchester Barracks, though a certain time did elapse before full pressure could be obtained. There were 120 fire-buckets in the barracks, but the spread of the fire was so rapid that they were of little use, and all efforts had to be directed to working the fire-engines and saving property. The woodwork appears to have been very dry, and the strong wind which was blowing rendered hopeless the efforts of the men to save the building. Instructions for dealing with fires and for drill with fire apparatus are published in regulations, and there does not appear to have been any want of precaution in this case.