asked the Secretary of State for War (1) from what ammunition dumps the ammunition which is being deposited in the sea off the Mull of Galloway comes; from what port it is shipped; and by what form of transport it is conveyed to that port;

This ammunition comes from many War Department, Air Ministry and Ministry of Supply depôts throughout Great Britain and it is conveyed to the military port of Cairnryan, Wigtownshire, by rail. Steps are taken to ensure that all packages sink within three seconds of entry into the water and they are dumped in a depression in the seabed specially selected for this purpose. The area provides the maximum precaution against the subsequent movement of ammunition due to tidal currents and the possibility of any packages being thrown up on the beaches.

The hon. Gentleman has said that the ammunition is conveyed by rail. Can he give an assurance that none is conveyed by road?

Yes, Sir.

Would it not be better to try to recover much of the scrap metal of this ammunition instead of throwing it to the bottom of the sea at a time like this?

It is only dumped when we are satisfied that it is non-acceptable for breaking down. That would be because it was uneconomical to do so or unsafe.

Are we going to fight the next war without ammunition?

We should not fight with ammunition which would be unsafe for those using it.