§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refer to the explosives inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive the question of the storing, security and registration of supplies of ammonium nitrate and associated substances suitable for the making of explosives.
§ Mr. Charles WardleI understand that ammonium nitrate is classified, in line with United Nations recommendations, as an oxidising substance rather than as an explosive. It is in widespread use in agriculture, and the Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on its safe storage. I do not believe that further controls would be workable. Accordingly, I have no plans to refer the matter to the explosives inspectorate.