§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the report of a great fire in an oil store on the Essex shore at Purfleet, on the 11th ultimo, when it appears that the Government powder magazine was in danger, which was averted by the wind veering to the west; and whether, having regard to the fact that this powder magazine, which, it is understood, is the largest in England, is in close proximity to the stores of two oil companies which contain hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil, he will favourably consider a proposal to remove the magazine to a more suitable locality?
*THE UNDER SECRETARY OF 8TATE FOR WAR (Mr. ISRODERICK, (Surrey, Guildford)The Secretary of State is advised that the powder magazine was not in any danger from the late fire at the oil stores, as high ground protects it in that direction. The removal of the magazine is not considered necessary or desirable.