HC Deb 21 March 1950 vol 472 cc1746-7
28. Mr. Redmayne

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to complete the removal of ammunition dumped in the Sherwood Forest area of Nottinghamshire.

Mr. Strachey

Every effort is being made to complete the removal of ammunition from the Sherwood area by the end of 1952, but the rate of removal is governed by the availability of labour and of storage accommodation elsewhere.

Mr. Redmayne

Is the Minister aware that this area is a source of great pleasure and recreation to the people of Nottingham and Sheffield and that the matter should therefore he treated as one of greater urgency than the normal ammunition dump problem?

Mr. Strachey

I am well aware of the importance of getting on with its removal.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Would the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that this ammunition will not, as has happened in previous cases, be taken away from England and dumped in Scotland?

Mr. Strachey

There is no such intention.

Mr. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on previous occasions we in Nottinghamshire have been promised that this ammunition will be removed from the Sherwood area, and that nothing substantial has been done towards removing it? Can my right hon. Friend give a promise that in the very near future some substantial removal will take place?

Mr. Strachey

Some 26,000 tons have already been removed. That is fairly substantial.