§ 49. Mr. Grimstonasked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement indicating all the uses to which it is the intention of the Government to put Imber village and training area.
§ Mr. AlexanderIt is the intention that Imber village and training area shall be used by the War Office and Ministry of Supply. The Army need the village for instruction in street fighting and the training area for general field training, including infantry exercises and demonstrations by all arms with aircraft co-operation. The Ministry of Supply need parts of the training area as ranges for bombing, rocket gunnery, parachute dropping and various other tests and trials. No live bombs would be dropped, although fuzes and exploders may be fitted.
§ Mr. GrimstonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the first time this information has been made public? Is he further aware that considerable apprehension has arisen as to the intentions of the Government, particularly in regard to rumours about bombing, which apparently are not without foundation, and that there is apprehension in the neighbourhood that if, for instance, high-level bombing is indulged in a short error in calculation may cause damage to life and property outside the area? Can he give an assurance that every step will be taken to prevent anything of that nature happening?
§ Mr. AlexanderWe will do everything possible in that matter. It is a most reasonable request to make. The hon. 1263 Member will now know that we do not intend to use live bombs, and, therefore, there will be little danger from that point of view. In connection with ballistic trials and the like, we will take every step to avoid danger.
§ Mr. GrimstonThe right hon. Gentle-ma: will realise that even a dummy bomb falling outside the area can do considerable damage.