Lords Sitting of 17 March 1863

MINUTES.
— PUBLIC BILL— Committee — Union Relief Aid Act (1862) Continuance (No. 35).

EDINBURGH CASTLE—GUNPOWDER STORE.—QUESTION.
THE EARL OF AIRLIErose to ask the noble Lord the Under Secretary for War, Whether it is the case that 100 Tons of Gunpowder are stored in Edinburgh Castle; and, if not, what is the quantity usually kept there? The noble Lord said, he had been induced to give direct attention to this subject, owing to the statements made in a correspondence in one of the Scotch newspapers. There appeared to be no doubt whatever that there was a large quantity of gunpowder stored in the Castle, and it was apprehended, that if an explosion were to occur, there would be an immense destruction of property and loss of life. It appeared to him that there was no necessity for so large a quantity of powder being stored in the Castle. He understood, moreover, that there was less necessity for it, as there were proper magazines elsewhere in which any quantity might he stored. He hoped the noble Earl the Under Secretary for War, would be able to appease the minds of the people of Edinburgh on the subject.
EARL DE GREY AND RIPONreplied that his noble Friend had been rightly informed as to the amount of powder kept in Edinburgh Castle. In fact, at the present time there were 2,700 barrels, con-
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taining somewhat more than 100 tons; but it must be remembered that from this store issues were constantly made: the issues amounted to 2,000 barrels annually, and therefore during the greater portion of the year the quantity in store was small. The powder, which was kept in n bombproof magazine, as secure as such a magazine could be, was served out to the whole of the southern district of Scotland for the purposes of the artillery, line, and Volunteers. It had been customary, for a long period of time, to keep a considerable amount of gunpowder in Edinburgh Castle; and as no such disaster as the noble Earl had suggested had hitherto occurred, be trusted we might enjoy for the future the same security which we had experienced in the past.
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIEsaid, though he did not apprehend an explosion, he thought, that if they could avoid storing so large a quantity of gunpowder in the Castle as 100 tons, they ought to do so. He understood that there was a large magazine at the head-quarters of the Artillery; and if that were true, he thought it advisable that the greater portion of the powder should be kept at that place.
THE EARL OF MALMESBURYcalled attention to the position of the Tower of London. A large quantity of new rifles was there at the present time, together with other valuable stores. Now, he had observed that on the quays between the Tower and the river, which he believed belonged to Her Majesty's Government, there were piled immense masses of crates, wood, hay, and other inflammable materials. If those materials were to take fire, nothing could save the Tower, and it would be a fearful calamity to have the Tower burnt a second time.
EARL DE GREY AND RIPONsaid, the Tower was a storehouse from which issues were constantly made. He was not aware that combustible matter had been allowed to accumulate upon the wharf, but he would make inquiry on the subject.
THE EARL OF HARDWICKEsaid, that there was an excellent magazine at Edinburgh Castle, and he apprehended that a large quantity of powder was stored there simply for this reason, because it was the safest place in which it could be kept.
House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, to Thursday next, half past Ten o'clock.