HC Deb 11 August 1896 vol 44 c483
MR. JOHN AIRD (Paddington, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the desirability of requiring a monthly return of all gunpowder and other explosives kept upon public works, manufactories and shops in the metropolis and elsewhere?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

There are 35,000 places in the United Kingdom where explosives are manufactured or kept for sale, and the quantities in these places vary from day to day. The hon. Member will, I think, agree that it would be hopeless to attempt to obtain with any accuracy such returns as he suggests.