§ 22. Mr. Snaddenasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the fatal accident which occurred on Thursday, 16th October, 1947, near Aberfoyle, Perthshire, within the area of the ammunition depot in that county, whereby one child was killed and one seriously injured; if he will state the reason for having dangerous ammunition stored in the depot accessible to children; and what steps he has taken or proposes to take to prevent a repetition of such fatalities.
§ Mr. ShinwellYes, Sir. I am aware of this regrettable accident. I would, however, point out that this depot covers an area of 220 square miles and there is no means of completely removing the possibility of such an accident, except the clearance of the ammunition, which is being carried out as fast as the very limited manpower and transport facilities allow. Danger notices are erected throughout the depot, attractive items are where possible stored in lock-ups, mobile guards patrol the depot, and broadcasts, warning the public of the dangers of interfering with ammunition are frequent.
§ Mr. SnaddenIs the Minister aware that hikers and holiday-makers actually sleep in or near these ammunition dumps, that they tear open boxes of ammunition and use them for firewood, and that children play with the ammunition; and is not the whole thing a public scandal after two-and-a-half years?
§ Mr. ShinwellThere is great physical difficulty in removing these dumps, but I understand that they are being removed as quickly as possible.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the really dangerous dumps are removed, where there are cases of detonators which go off very quickly? The larger shells do not matter so much.
§ Mr. ShinwellI have gone into this matter since I saw the Question, and I am advised that we are proceeding as expeditiously as possible with the removal of the dumps.
§ 23. Mr. Snaddenasked the Secretary of State for War what quantities of ammunition and explosives, by categories and types, remain in the ammunition depot in Perthshire; what is the current rate of removal and by what date will removal be completed; whether arrangements are made to give priority in removal to the more dangerous types stored in close proximity to centres of population; and what action he proposes to take to remove the danger to the civilian population by clearing away ammunition and explosives stored along main roads and near to habitations.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SnaddenDoes the Minister realise that the entire population of the county of Perth view with the utmost concern the continuous presence of this dangerous ammunition? What is the reason for the abnormally slow rate of despatch—a mere 400 tons a week out of 90,000 tons is practically nothing?
§ Mr. ShinwellI am as much concerned as the hon. Gentleman's constituents or the people of the whole of Perthshire, but there is great difficulty. We are giving priority to the removal of these dumps from agricultural land and where there is density of population, but there is the great physical difficulty to which I have referred. We have not the labour power with which to remove these dumps more quickly.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The tonnages of ammunition stores in this depot are by types as follow;
| Types | Approximate Tonnage. |
| Gun Ammunition | 39,800 |
| Grenades, Bombs, Mines | 10,100 |
| Small Arms and Other Stores | 16,500 |
| Total | 66,400 |
§ The current average rate of removal is approximately 2,250 tons a month. I hope that clearance will be completed by 681 the end of next year, though I regret I cannot give any assurance that this will be practicable. The most dangerous items of ammunition are stored where possible in those areas which can be more readily guarded by military personnel, or to which the public have no access, for example, Forestry Commission Reserve. Priority of removal is given to agricultural land and to the more densely populated areas.