Mr. Amoryasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent the proposed naval exercise area in 158W Lyme Bay will involve the dropping of depth charges and gunnery practice; and whether he has considered the adverse effects this may have on the local fishing industry and the trade of the local ports and holiday resorts.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsThe Royal Navy have used the sea area in question for many years without complaint. The purposes for which it will continue to be used and the conditions governing its use, will remain substantially unaltered, and there are, therefore, no grounds for anticipating any adverse effects on the local fishing industry or the trade of the local ports and holiday resorts. Although at one place the perimeter of the area touches the coast, the firing of naval guns takes place many miles out to sea. Gunfire practices are of limited frequency and are not expected to involve guns above medium calibre. The use of depth charges is normally confined to the detonation of a strictly limited amount of explosive at infrequent intervals in a very small area, some 14 miles south-west of Portland Bill.