§ Mr. THORNEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information in conection with the explosion that took place at the Crombie naval armament depot; and whether he can state the cause of the explosion and the number of persons injured?
Lord STANLEYThe explosion on the 17th August was due to ignition of firedamp in a tunnel excavation connected with the construction of an additional magazine at Crombie. The capacity of ventilating arrangements has now been increased and additional precautionary measures have also been effected.
I regret to say that four workmen employed by the contractors and one watchman employed by the Admiralty were injured.