§ 12. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that several recent cases of death and serious injury to domestic animals have occurred in the vicinity of the village of Melchbourne, Bedfordshire, as a result of the presence there of mustard gas; and what steps he is taking to deal with this development.
§ Mr. de FreitasI have seen newspaper reports that sheep dogs have received injuries through straying on to the land where this mustard gas is being burned. My right hon. Friend regrets the inconvenience which is being caused to the inhabitants of Melchbourne while this gas is being destroyed, and he is doing everything he can to ensure that its destruction will be completed as soon as possible. The contaminated area will be fenced off to prevent animals straying on to it.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeCould the Under-Secretary say how much longer he thinks it will be before this gas is finally burned, in view of the fact that the inconvenience locally is very great indeed; and, although I appreciate that his Department has helped to the utmost extent, does he not realise that the people in this part of the country are most disturbed by the long continued period that it is taking to get rid of the gas?
§ Mr. de FreitasIt entirely depends on the weather. There are 50,000 more gallons to be destroyed. On a day such as this, without rain or wind, we can destroy about 4,000 gallons.
§ Mr. BerryCan the Under-Secretary say why the precaution which it is now proposed to take to keep animals off the land could not have been taken initially?
§ Mr. de FreitasIt was not realised that animals were likely to stray there. However, to get this in proportion, I should point out that the only evidence of any animals being killed consists of one fox and one cat.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI will supply the hon. Gentleman with another list.