HC Deb 11 May 1976 vol 911 cc222-3
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now set up a new committee of inquiry into the amount of land being held by his Department in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

No, Sir.

Mr. Bennett

Does the Minister accept that the Nugent Committee made many recommendations that have still not been carried out? In 1973 our defence requirements were rather different, and there is a strong case now for releasing more areas of defence land in areas of outstanding natural beauty for the use of the general public.

Mr. Brown

It is less than two years since this Government accepted, with minor reservations, all the proposals of the Defence Land Committee, under Lord Nugent. A great many of the recommendations have already been dealt with, and it is absurd to suggest that in less than two years there should be another major inquiry.

Mr. Hicks

Is the Minister aware that certain proposals have been made concerning possible use of new sites on Bodmin Moor, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty, for use for military training purposes? Will he give an assurance that the Department does not favour this suggestion, made by the Department of the Environment during the current public inquiry?

Mr. Brown

This is another question. The hon. Member knows that a public inquiry is taking place in respect of Dartmoor and therefore it would be improper for me to comment at this stage.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

Is the Minister aware that there are certain areas of former defence land in areas of outstanding natural beauty in Snowdonia National Park, which have not been adequately cleared and therefore are a great danger to the local population and to tourists?

Mr. Brown

If the hon. Member cares to write to me about any specific place in his constituency, I shall look at it.