§ 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a row of 18 square red and yellow steel huts or houses have been erected by the war Office on Lark Hill, within a mile and a half of Stonehenge; that the circle of Stonehenge is orientated in that direction, so that the sunrise at the summer solstice is in line with the land on Which these huts now are; when he intends to have these huts removed; whether permanent brick and slate barracks are to be erected on Lark Hill within full view of this national monument; and whether he will see some other site is available equally suitable for military purposes but further away from Stonehenge?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Commodore Douglas King)As regards the first part of the question, if the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the 36 married quarters erected in steel construction at Lark Hill Camp last year, I am advised that they are clear of the line of sight of the midsummer sun's rise as viewed from Stonehenge and special steps have already been taken to ensure that that line continues to be kept clear so far as future buildings are concerned. As regards the last part of the question, a scheme is under consideration for the replacement by permanent barracks of the temporary hutments at Larkhill, which are falling into disrepair and involve excessive charges for maintenance. Roads, drains, water supply and electric light facilities already exist at Lark Rill, and it would therefore be impossible 1069 to justify the heavy expenditure involved in removal to another site, even were a suitable alternative available.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs the hon. and gallant Member aware that it is not only a question of the line of the sun's rising, but the right of the whole people to have this monument in a setting where its surroundings are not impaired by present-day buildings of the War Office?
§ Commodore KINGIt depends, of course, on the size of the setting which the hon. and gallant Member requires. As he said in his question, these buildings are a mile-and-a-half away.
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYBut does not the hon. and gallant Member know that Stonehenge is quite unique in its character, and that it is worth while to preserve it?
§ Commodore KINGOh, yes; I have heard of Stonehenge, and I quite agree with the hon. and gallant Member that it is very undesirable that the amenities should be destroyed.
Commander WILLIAMSAccording to the question, is not the colour of these huts the real cause of the trouble?
§ Colonel DAYCan the hon. and gallant Member say what is the excessive charge for maintenance mentioned in the original answer?
§ Commodore KINGNo, It is obvious that if buildings are falling into disrepair, and they are only temporary huts, it is better that they should be replaced by permanent buildings which will last for some years.
§ 8. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War what is the total area of land owned or leased by the War Office, or on which a prior lien is held, on Salisbury Plain and in the district?
§ Commodore KINGThe War Department land on Salisbury Plain and in the district, all of which is freehold, comprises 58,210 acres, of which 1,508 acres is in the permanent occupation of the Air Ministry.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn that case, why cannot the hon. and gallant Member put his huts and buildings somewhere else than within a mile-and-a-half of Stonehenge? He has 58,000 acres to play with.
§ Commodore KINGI would remind the hon. and gallant Member that this land is not held as building sites. It is largely used as an artillery range, and we cannot place buildings in the line of fire.
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYThe hon. and gallant Member is really trifling with the matter.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot debate this question now.
§ Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYI have no desire to debate it, Sir, but I think the answer I have just received is a trifling one.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member may think that, but this is not the time to say it.