HC Deb 09 May 1932 vol 265 cc1546-7
56. Mr. HICKS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why it is proposed to erect nurses' quarters on a part of the common reserved by immemorial user for public recreation and having regard to the provisions of the Act of Parliament of 1803, which gave power to the Department to safeguard Woolwich Common as an area for the manoeuvring of troops; and whether steps will be taken to prevent any further building on Woolwich Common?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)

The site now being used consists of a gap between two buildings in an extreme corner of the Common adjoining the road. I can assure the hon. Member that the War Department would be reluctant to sanction any proposals which would reduce the amount of open space on Woolwich Common. The hon Member is, however, under a misappre- hension in suggesting that the Act of 1803 limits military user to the manoeuvring of troops.

Mr. HICKS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the matter has been the subject of great controversy between those speaking on behalf of public rights and the military authorities, and does he not think it is time that such arrangements should be made that the boundary line between public rights and the military authorities may be defined and established?

Mr. COOPER

There is no doubt what the military rights are, and I can only reassure the hon. Member that the War Department are most anxious not to interfere in any way with the amenities of the common from a recreational point of view.