HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 c1940
52. Mr. Parker

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken to prevent coast erosion at a tank range, of which he has been informed, where the sea wall has been shot out; whether steps are to be taken to remove live shells in the wall and nearby marshes; and whether the marshes are to be restored to their former state of growing wild white clover seed.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (Mr. Tom Williams)

I understand that there is no breach in the sea wall, but that the Catchment Board have been prevented from gaining access to this wall to carry out maintenance work owing to the presence of live shells, and this has resulted in some erosion. The problem of removing explosive objects remaining after military activities is a difficult one and is engaging the urgent attention of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for War.

Mr. Parker

Could not action be taken against the people who suggested using good land below sea level for this purpose instead of using land above sea level which does not matter at all in the neighbourhood?

Mr. Williams

I should have thought that that might be a question for the Secretary of State for War.