asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the death of two schoolboys at Gibraltar Point, near Skegness, on 5th April, who were killed by an explosion when playing with an unexploded trench mortar bomb; why this area has not been cleared of dangerous missiles; and what immediate action he proposes to prevent a recurrence.

Whilst I deeply sympathise with the relatives of these schoolboys, I have no evidence that this particular area was ever authorised by the War Office for training purposes, and it has never been under requisition by my Department. Accordingly, the question of "clearing" the area has not previously arisen. The nearest War Department requisitioned land is at least a mile away from the scene of the accident. I am, however, having the matter thoroughly investigated and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure me that he is taking immediate steps to prevent a recurrence of an incident such as this in that area?

That area is not under my immediate control.