asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the destruction of mustard gas in the vicinity of the village of Melchbourne, Bedfordshire, is causing widespread resentment among its inhabitants; creates a nauseating smell by day and by night, and is having a bad psychological

officer or airman is married with one child and is living in private accommodation with his family. The second table gives details of pay, allowances and tax for officers and airmen who are not married and are living in Service quarters.

effect damaging to the health of local residents; and if he will take immediate steps to abate the nuisance.

I take a most serious view of this matter, and I have been examining whether there is anything that can be done to stop this nuisance, which I very greatly regret. The problem is that the drums in which the gas is stored are corroded, and that was what prevented the execution of an earlier plan for dumping them in the sea, because they would have burst if they were moved. The scientific advice we have received is that the safest solution is to burn the gas on the spot, which I understand will take about 10 weeks to finish. If I can find any other way of disposing of at least part of them, I shall take it, but I am advised that the state of the drums and their contents is such that any delay would be most inadvisable.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend consider transporting some of this stuff to a foreign Power, in the same way as we are considering transferring gas-making plants in Germany to a foreign Power?