HC Deb 18 January 1968 vol 756 cc665-6W
Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of mines that have been discovered on the foreshore near Weston-super-Mare during 1967 and 1968. respectively.

Mr. Foley:

During 1967 six inert ground mines and one inert buoyant mine were discovered and disposed of. To the present date in 1968 twelve inert ground mines have been discovered and similarly disposed of.

In addition during 1967 and 1968 thirty-nine depth charges and other projectiles have been dealt with.

Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what calibre bombs have been discovered in Weston-super-Mare Bay and Sand Bay during the years 1967 and 1968;

(2) how many bombs have been discovered in the Weston-super-Mare and Sand Bay coastline; how many of these were practice bombs; how many were high explosive and fused; and, in the latter case, what was the date of the fusing of the bombs.

Mr. Foley:

Since 1963 only two bombs have been found in the area in question. Both were found and disposed of in 1967. One was a 100 lb. and the other a 250 lb. bomb. Both were live and high explosive.

Owing to their age and condition it was not possible to ascertain when they were fused; but it is highly unlikely that they were dropped after 1945.