§ 32. Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry, when making inquiries for land to use as bombing areas or for other purposes, consult the War Office or other Government Departments in order to find out if other land owned by the taxpayer could be taken over rather than spend money in the purchase of land whose owner is an unwilling seller?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Mr. Montague)Yes, Sir; the War Office is invariably consulted whenever it appears that War Department land could be utilised, and in one or two cases land has been made available for bombing ranges in this way. Other Government Departments would similarly be consulted if they happened to have suitable land within the required radius.
§ Major GLYNIn the particular case in North Berkshire were the War Office consulted about suitable sites at Chisledon and elsewhere?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI have other questions on the subject of Berkshire.
§ 33. Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will be willing to arrange for a conference on the ground, tentatively selected, on the Downs of North Berkshire as a practice bombing area in order that officers of the Royal Air Force and officials of the Air Ministry may meet representatives of the trainers and owners of race horses and other persons engaged in the care and provision of forage for these race horses whose training quarters will have to be moved from the district if this project is persisted in, thus causing unemployment and disturbing what is a prosperous local industry?
§ 35. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether sanction has been given to the proposal to utilise for bombing practice a stretch of the downs near Lambourn of great beauty, bearing in its midst and on its margin historical monuments of exceptional interest; and, in view of the protests made by county councils and other authoritative local bodies, will he reconsider the matter?
§ 40. Mr. EDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the public protests by the Berkshire Joint Regional Planning Committee against the proposed formation of a bombing practice ground at Lambourn, it is intended to proceed with the scheme?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEYes, Sir; my Noble Friend is prepared to send representatives to a meeting as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. I would like to point out, however, in view of the 481 widespread misconception which seems to prevail, that all that has happened to date is that a preliminary and provisional reconnaissance has been made of this, as of other areas, and that in any event the proposal is one for the use, not of live, but of practice bombs, which merely make a puff of smoke and can be heard only a very short distance. The small effect of these practice bombs, which would do no damage to a person standing five yards from where they fall, and only make an indentation in the ground some three inches in diameter, could be demonstrated at this meeting.
§ Major GLYNArising from that very interesting reply, does the hon. Gentleman really think that the dropping of these bombs from a height of 7,000 feet would not disturb race horses which use the ground at the present time?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI do not know that I am called on to express an opinion on that point, but I would insist on the fact that the whole plan is dependent on future consideration; there is nothing definite about it at all.
§ Major GLYNWill the hon. Gentleman give me an assurance that the Government will not use compulsory powers to acquire the land, against the wishes of everybody in the district, until Parliament again meets?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI can give the hon. and gallant Member that assurance quite definitely.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYDoes that mean that there will be no final decision between now and the next Session?
§ 34. Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many areas there are in Great Britain reserved for the use of the Royal Air Force for practice in bomb dropping with live bombs of all kinds; what is the danger zone of these targets; whether they are used throughout the year; if not so used, in what months is the training of pilots in bomb dropping usually carried out; and whether it is necessary to find land removed from the ordinary military training areas?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEAs regards the first part of the question, there are in Great Britain five bombing ranges, where high explosive bombs are dropped. Practice bombs, that is, bombs which only emit smoke, are dropped also at these ranges, and there are, in addition, four ranges at which only practice bombs are dropped. As regards the second part, the danger area varies with the height at which practice is carried out and the type of bomb used. As regards the third and fourth parts of the question, most of the ranges are used throughout the year, but practice is mainly carried out during the summer months. No bombing takes place at week-ends or on public holidays. As regards the last part of the question, land in military training areas would be used if it were suitable and available within the area in which a bombing range is required.
§ Major GLYNIf it is so inoffensive, why are there restrictions on certain days such as public holidays?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI think the terms "offensive" and "inoffensive" are largely relative.
§ Mr. THURTLEAre the aeroplanes which are carrying out this bombing home defence aeroplanes?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEIt is a question of home defence, certainly. This question has nothing to do with Berkshire.
§ Mr. MUGGERIDGEHas the Minister taken into consideration the suitability of shim areas after evacuation as bombing centres?
§ 39. Mr. EDEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that five public rights of way in frequent use cross the area proposed to be used as a bombing practice ground at Lam-bourn; and what steps he proposes to take to obviate danger and inconvenience to the users of these rights of way?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe whole question of establishing a bombing range in this area is still under consideration. If it is decided to establish the range, my hon. Friend may rest assured that the existence of any public rights of way and the measures to be taken to obviate danger and inconvenience to persons using them will be among the matters to be fully and carefully considered.
§ Mr. EDEMay we take it that there will be no question of closing public rights of way if this land is acquired?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI think my answer covers that point. Every matter will be taken into full consideration, legal questions as well as others.
§ Mr. EDEDoes that mean that there will be no application made to Quarter Sessions, or that a Bill will be proposed to this House to close those public rights of way across one of the most bracing parts of the Berkshire Downs, which is one of the best resorts of holiday makers?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI would ask the hon. Gentleman to put a question down on that point.
§ Major GLYNWill the Government take compulsory powers, seeing that the owner of the property will certainly refuse to sell unless compulsory powers are taken?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEI have already said that the question of compulsory powers will not be taken up until the House meets again. In the meantime, the whole question is being considered really as a possibility and not as a certainty.