§ 47. Mr. Grimstonasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that information has been received of his intention to use 160 the Imber Training Area for experimental and research purposes which do not appear to fall within the assurances as regards safety, which he gave to the hon. Member for Westbury on 5th May last; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)There has been no change in the purposes for which the training area will be used. The assurances given in my statement of 5th May last hold good.
§ Mr. GrimstonMay it be taken, therefore, that no live bombs will be dropped in this area?
§ Mr. AlexanderI think not, beyond what were contemplated in the original assurance which was given. I think perhaps the inquiry of the hon. Member comes from the recent statement about the flash experiments that may be carried out, but I am assured that there is no change from the assurance originally given.
§ Mr. GrimstonDoes not the Minister of Defence recollect that in reply to a supplementary question he gave me a specific assurance that no live bombs would be dropped in this area, and can I take it from his reply, although it is somewhat woolly, that it is still the case that no live bombs will be dropped?
§ Mr. AlexanderNo live bombs are being dropped, but I did not want to convey the impression this afternoon that there were no live ammunition experiments.