§ Mr. Naylor (by Private Notice)asked whether the Home Secretary has any information to give to the House concerning the explosion which occurred in Southwark on Saturday last?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Home Security (Mr. Mabane)Examination of the site and of bomb fragments which have been found shows that the explosion which occurred 928 about 9.30 p.m. on Saturday, 6th June, at Gurney Street, New Kent Road, Southwark, was due to a bomb which, having wrecked a house during the raid of 10th May, 1941, buried itself without exploding under the adjoining premises which have now been destroyed. Both on examination immediately after the raid in May, 1941, and subsequently in the course of the demolition of the damaged building, nothing was found to suggest the presence of an unexploded bomb. I am sure the House will wish to join with my right hon. Friend in expressing our deep sympathy with the relatives and friends of all those who have been killed or injured by this belated result of the enemy's indiscriminate bombing of London.
§ Mr. NaylorIn view of the importance of the matter to other bombed areas, will the result of any inquiry which may yet be made and the conclusions arrived at be communicated to other A.R.P. services? Also would not the hon. Gentleman agree that in this case the Southwark A.R.P. services responded promptly and courageously to this unexpected call on their services?
§ Mr. MabaneThe full resources of the Ministry of Home Security are being put at the disposal of the London Regional Commissioners, who are conducting an inquiry. The results of the inquiry will, of course, be made available to all those concerned with the operation of the Civil Defence service. In reply to the last part of the question, I should like to say that, although there was no alert, the manner in which the Southwark Defence Services responded was remarkable in its speed and skill.