§ 69. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in the case of War Department Constable Keeble, who was shut in his police hut at the side of the cylinder shed at the time of Woolwich Common explosion; whether he is aware that Constable Keeble is very ill in the Royal Herbert Hospital owing to the explosion; and why only one man was on night duty 2987 at the Signals, Woolwich Common, the Repository, Woolwich, and the Garland Road optical works station?
§ The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)I think the hon. Member has been misinformed. Police Constable Keeble was on patrol and was about midway between his police lodge and the army medical store, which are 150 yards apart, when the explosion occurred. He has suffered slightly from shock, but has not been a patient at the Royal Herbert Hospital. The protection provided by night at the three establishments mentioned was not con-fined to one police constable.
§ Mr. ThorneIs it a fact that Constable Keeble is in hospital, and, if so, what in-jury did he receive to cause him to go there?
§ Sir V. WarrenderNo, Sir, I said that he suffered slightly from shock, but that he is not a patient in the Royal Herbert Hospital.