HC Deb 03 July 1893 vol 14 cc678-9
MR. H. L. W. LAWSON (Gloucester, Cirencester)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether open land on the Downs above Reigate has been recently purchased by the War Office with a view to the possible erection in certain contingencies of some species of fortification; whether, although the land is not immediately required for any military purposes, it has been proposed to fence it in and sub-let it, thereby depriving the inhabitants of Reigate and Red-hill of the use of a portion of the Downs much frequented for exercise and re- creation (being, in fact, the portion of the Downs nearest to those populous suburbs), and also to shut up one or more well recognised and much-used rights of way; and whether, under these circumstances, he can give the House an assurance that nothing shall be done to interfere with the enjoyment of the Downs by the public of the locality, save in the event of the actual need of the land for the purposes of national defence?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

A piece of land, which was private property, on the Reigate DOWNS, has been bought by the War Department for purposes of national defence. There is no present intention of sub-letting any part of it or of fencing any ground now open, or of closing existing rights of way or assumed rights of way.