§ 65. Mr. FREEMANasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has now received the Report concerning the right of way round Penarth Head; and when this privilege can be restored to the town?
§ Mr. SHINWELLI have now received a report from which it appears that my hon. Friend has been misinformed. I understand that the Department did not acquire any land on Penarth Head during the War, and that there is not, and never has been, any public right of way round the Battery. Subject to the usual annual closing in order to preserve the Department's rights, the promenade in front of the Battery, together with a footpath giving access to the promenade from St. Augustine's Crescent, is open to the public now just as it was before the War. I am informed that at some earlier date the public were allowed to pass on foot round the Battery, but that this privilege 246 was withdrawn for military reasons, and the facilities now in existence were granted in consideration of this restriction. But should the Battery at any time become surplus to military requirements, I will arrange that the question of giving the Penarth Urban District Council facilities to purchase the site at a fair price is not overlooked.
§ Mr. FREEMANIs it not a fact that the public used this as a right of way for many years, and will the hon. Gentleman consider granting these facilities to Penarth again?
§ Mr. SHINWELLIt is not agreed that there is such a public right of way.