§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the areas of British land and water which are unsafe because they have not yet been cleared of bombs or mines; and what approximate areas have been cleared annually in recent years.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe area of land still uncleared is in the region of 120,000 acres. The Bomb Disposal Unit R.E. cleared 33,931 acres between 1953 and 1966. A total of 4,662 acres was cleared in 1967 and 1968.
All mines in British waters were cleared immediately after the end of World War II. But explosives are brought to light from time to time by dredging operations, coastal erosion or gales; these are dealt with immediately by the Royal Navy.