§ SIR CHRISTOPHER FURNESS (Hartlepool)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that serious damage has been done to residential property at Hartlepool by the firing of a big gun from the Lighthouse Battery, part of which is at a distance of less than 100 feet from the battery; and that the lighthouse, which is close to the battery, is endangered thereby; and whether, as it is against War Office regulations to practice with heavy artillery so close to dwelling houses, he will give instructions to discontinue the firing?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)Reports received from Hartlepool show that beyond breaking a few panes of glass, scarcely any damage was done to the lighthouse. The lantern was in no way injured, and the lighthouse cannot be said to be in any danger. As regards any damage to houses in the neighbourhood, I may say only one complaint has been received, by the artillery at Tynemouth preferring a claim for 7s.; but the hon. Member has placed in my hands a letter from a resident giving particulars into which I will direct full inquiry to be made. There is no War Office Regulation governing practice with guns near dwelling houses, but when this gun was placed in the battery it was agreed with the Commissioners of the Port of Hartlepool that it should only be fired eight times in the year.