§ Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the incident on 15 December when schoolboys discovered a grenade near the Forth and Clyde Canal at Falkirk; and if he will make a statement about public safety in respect of other ammunition in that area. [103916]
§ Mr. SpellarA World War 2 vintage No. 36 Mills bomb, common issue during that period, was discovered in the area of the Forth and Clyde Canal near Falkirk High School by pupils from the school on Wednesday 15 December 1999 following excavation work at the site. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from the Army was immediately called to the scene and successfully destroyed the device. There has been no recorded training with weapons previously in the vicinity of the school and it has not been possible to identify the reason for the grenade being there.
With respect to other arms and ammunition in the area, I can confirm that, wherever arms and ammunition are stored on an Army establishment, this is done in accordance with the appropriate regulations. These are written to ensure that arms and ammunition are secure at all times. I can assure you that the arrangements at the nearby Territorial Army Unit at Grangemouth (153 Workshop Coy REME (V)) are in accordance with these regulations.