HC Deb 16 May 1980 vol 984 cc669-70W
Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will institute an inquiry into the detonation of a shell on the beach at Newburgh in the East Aberdeenshire constituency at 1400 hours on 12 May, which caused fear and concern to lieges in that village; and if he will make a full statement on the reason for this explosion and give an assurance that adequate safety precautions and prior warnings will be given should such an incident occur in the future.

Mr. Hayhoe

On 12 May the Army explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) detachment from Edinburgh received a request from the police to dispose of an old wartime shell discovered by the police in the Forvie nature reserve. The EOD team removed the shell to a selected safe, remote site adjacent to the beach near Newburgh, where it was destroyed.

In this instance, on the basis of police advice, no warnings were given; to have done so would have attracted a number of spectators with the consequent need for a greater number of police and Army personnel to man a safety cordon. However, full safety precautions were taken and at no time was there any danger to any members of the public.