§ 35. Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a fatal accident near Ampthill, Bedfordshire, where a motor-cyclist skidded into a roadside ammunition dump; and what steps he proposes to take to remove these dumps from public roads, woods and other dangerous places.
§ Mr. LawsonI am aware of this accident. As I have previously explained to hon. Members, we are disposing of our surplus ammunition as quickly as we can, but many hundreds of thousands of tons are stored in these damps and complete clearance will take some time.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMay I ask whether the dumps near this town are all fused, and whose responsibility it is to clear them—the local command or the War Office direct?
§ Mr. LawsonThe local command under War Office directions.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question on fusing—is the ammunition fused?
§ Mr. LawsonThat is a matter I shall have to go into. I do not know.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of this reply and the widespread anxiety in many rural parts of the country, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.