HC Deb 10 July 1975 vol 895 cc241-3W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list his powers in relation to requiring fishing vessels to carry unexploded bombs ashore.

total, per capita and per owner-occupied dwelling.

Mr. Denzil Davies

I have been asked to reply.

The estimates for 1974–75 are as follows:

Mr. William Rodgers

The Secretary of State for Defence has no such powers. However, the Royal Navy offers advice to fishermen who may sight or trawl up mines and other dangerous-looking objects. This is summarised in the annual reprint of Notice to Mariners and also in a leaflet and illustrative poster which have been distributed to fishing fleets.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the powers possessed and the procedures adopted by his Department in connection with the discovery of unexploded bombs (a) on land and (b) at sea.

Mr. William Rodgers

There are a number of Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Report Centres to which incidents are reported by the civil authorities for explosive devices found on land, and by vessels which either sight or trawl up explosive devices at sea. At the request of the civil authorities Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal staff take the necessary action to render harmless those found on land.

In the case of those found at sea the action taken will depend upon the precise circumstances. Fishermen) are asked to bring devices inshore wherever practicable and to lower them to the sea bed in less than 30 fathoms of water, with the position marked by a buoy. The naval authorities take action to render these harmless. However, if a device is dumped or left a considerable distance offshore in deep water where there is no danger to shipping it may not be necessary or practicable to take further action.

Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the steps a citizen should take on discovering an unexploded bomb.

Mr. William Rodgers

Any person who discovers a bomb or other dangerous-looking device should report it immediately to the local police. Devices sighted or trawled up at sea should be reported to the nearest naval authority, police or coastguard.