§ 59. Sir M. Stoddart-Scottasked the Secretary of State for War how many shells have been found on the Pocstones Moor and Rocky Moor, near Pateley Bridge, since the accident last October when there were many fatalities and casualties; and what steps he has taken or intends to take to search these moors and clear them of explosive missiles.
§ Mr. SoamesAbout 20 potentially dangerous missiles have been found and destroyed since October. In November, the area commander invited the local civil authorities, police and property owners to meet him. A number of precautionary measures were agreed including the erection of warning notices and an undertaking by the Army to make a search in the vicinity whenever an unexploded shell was reported. As a result over 500 acres have since been searched.
These arrangements are working well and we shall pursue them, but because of the nature and extent of the area and because there are still missiles buried deep in the ground it is not possible to clear it absolutely and beyond all doubt. For that reason it is vital that members of the public should pay attention to the warning notices.