§ 86. Mr. Mayhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the continuing nuisance caused to local residents and businessmen by Ministry of Defence test explosions at Woolwich; and what action he is taking to transfer these tests without delay to a less populous locality.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe test firings at Woolwich are a necessary part of research for ammunition development and are likely to continue there for some months. New facilities are, however, being constructed elsewhere and I hope they will be substantially complete by the autumn of next year. Thereafter it should be necessary to fire at Woolwich only very small charges which are unlikely to give cause for public complaint.