HC Deb 13 December 1967 vol 756 cc423-5
43 and 44. Mr. Burden

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he is now in a position to make a statement on the report of the United States Army authorities which he received in June, regarding the explosives in the s.s. "Montgomery".

(2) what is the total tonnage of explosives in the s.s. "Montgomery" which is lying sunk of Sheerness.

89. Mr. Boston

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the further investigations he has been carrying out concerning the explosives on board the wreck of the s.s. "Richard Montgomery" off Sheerness, and in particular about the report from the United States authorities.

Mr. Foley

It is estimated that some 1,445 tons of TNT are still in the wreck. We have just completed a re-assessment. This included a report from the United States Army authorities as well as advice from our own experts. The United States report concluded that the cargo could be salvaged. We agree, but we have to examine in addition the comparative risks of salvage and leaving well alone. All our expert advice agrees that salvage would involve a greater risk of explosion and, of course, it would put the lives of the salvage team in danger and create a hazard to the surrounding population. The risk of spontaneous explosion is decreasing slightly as time passes. The cargo, of course, has remained quiescent for the last 23 years. We have therefore decided not to attempt salvage, but to continue with the very comprehensive precautions that we have taken to ensure that the wreck is not tampered with.

Mr. Burden

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that report, may I ask him whether he is aware that there has been very serious concern, and there has been some attempt to assess the real danger? If he could give an assurance that the danger is not great I am sure that it will be very well received in the area of the Medway towns.

Mr. Foley

This assurance was given in reply to a Question on 25th October this year, and I am happy to reaffirm it.

Mr. Boston

Can my hon. Friend say with certainty that there would be very much greater risk involved in attempting either to salvage the wreck or remove the cargo than by leaving where it is? Can he also give any sort of indication how quickly the risk is decreasing? Would he also consider now— [HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."]— having further discussions with the local authorities concerned so that the implications of the report can be explained fully to them?

Mr. Foley

I have already answered the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. On the second part, 23 years have elapsed and, as I said, the risk of spontaneous explosion is decreasing all the time. On the third part of the question I would be happy to make arrangements to discuss this matter further with the local authorities concerned.