§ 72. Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how the live bomb warheads found on the disused airfield at Fersfield, Diss, Norfolk, came to be left in an area to which the public have access; whether this area had been officially passed as free from danger; and what steps are being taken to ensure that no other explosives have been overlooked on this or any other disused airfield.
Mr. WardAn inquiry into the circumstances in which bombs were left on this airfield when it was derequisitioned in 1949 is still proceeding and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is complete. Meanwhile the airfield is being searched by bomb disposal squads. Since 1952 it has been the practice for any bomb storage site given up by the Royal Air Force to be searched for live explosives, and certified as safe for public access before it is derequisitioned.