§ MR. WHITEHEADI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that on June 4th, when a party of nine persons in a bawley from Leigh-on-Sea were fishing off South Shoebury gas buoy, west of the Admiralty beacon, and outside the sands, a shot from Shoebury battery struck the water not more than twenty yards from the bow of the boat; whether this was done in conformity with the amended regulations issued by the Secretary of State last month; and whether he will make further Amendments to the regulations, and will issue further and effective instructions to the responsible officer at Shoebury in order to avoid all risk to the public using the estuary.
§ MR. BUCHANANCareful inquiry has been made, but no information of any occurrence of the kind on the day mentioned has been received. The precautions under the regulations, which are of a very strict nature, were in force, as on all other occasions, throughout the firing on that day. Expert officers and non-commissioned officers are specially on duty to see the regulations carried out. None of these officers or non-commissioned officers observed or heard of any such occurrence.
§ MR. WHITEHEADIf I satisfy the hon. Gentleman that this event actually took place, will more stringent regulations be issued?
§ MR. BUCHANANI will inquire further, of course, if the hon. Gentleman can give me additional information.