HC Deb 16 May 1962 vol 659 cc1335-7
39. Mr. Bullard

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the result of his investigation into the discovery of a recently dropped bomb at Black Drove Farm, Marshland St. James, Norfolk; whether the type and size of the bomb has yet been ascertained; when he expects to remove it; and if he will make a statement about the circumstances in which it was dropped from an aircraft.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Julian Amery)

There is no evidence that a bomb was dropped at Black Drove Farm, where a hole has appeared in the marshland. If this hole was was caused by a bomb it would appear to be a 25 lb. or 100 lb. practice bomb and investigations have shown that it would be at least 16 ft. underground. At this depth, detonation of the small explosive charge would have little or no effect at the surface.

In the circumstances I do not think further excavation would be justified.

Mr. Bullard

Will my right hon. Friend do something to remove the mystery which surrounds this hole in the ground? Does he appreciate that it is not a very nice thing for a village to have a bomb dropped in the middle of it? As the first report which came to the local inhabitants was to the effect that it was a bomb and that it had definitely been located, will he have a further dig, and, if he will not have a further dig, will he make a positive statement that there is absolutely no danger to the people who live nearby?

Mr. Amery

I am glad to say that there is absolutely no danger to the people who live nearby, in view of the depth at which any object, if indeed there is one, must be. It is at least more than 16 ft. We had at first thought that it might be a bomb casually dropped, but we have had a careful check, which shows that no bombs are missing. Mine detection apparatus at one time made contact with an object, but contact has since been lost. It is conceivable that it might have been a meteorite.

Mr. Grimond

Has the Secretary of State for Air checked recently on the movements of the hon. Member for Farnham (Sir G. Nicholson).

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that no mine detection apparatus was needed to recover him from the sea.

Mr. Mulley

Cannot the Secretary of State tell us whether any of his practice bombs are missing? Surely he keeps some records of what bombs there are in Air Force and what there are not. It seems that this mystery would be clarified if he assured us that none of his bombs was missing.

Mr. Amery

I have said that none of our bombs is missing and that therefore we do not think this is one of them.