HC Deb 26 March 1946 vol 421 cc191-4
21. Wing-Commander Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be able to visit the military training ground in the Isle of Purbeck, as promised to the deputation which saw him on 24th October, 1945; and when he anticipates being able to derequisition this area in order to free the china clay workings and agricultural land from the present restrictions.

Mr. Lawson

I regret that owing to the pressure of other business, I have not yet been able to visit the Isle of Purbeck, but I intend to do so as soon as I can. It will in any case be necessary to wait until the general review of Army requirements of land, which is being carried out in conjunction with the other Departments concerned, has been completed before any final decision as to the future of this area can be reached.

Wing-Commander Cooper

While I thank him for his reply, could I ask my right hon. Friend to consider the transfer of these training grounds from more productive areas to less productive moorland areas in the North of England, Scotland and Wales, so that we can free productive areas for agricultural purposes?

Mr. Lawson

That is one of the matters I am considering along with others, but I am awaiting the report. The question in the main deals with the Isle of Purbeck, and I was wanting to visit that on grounds of health.

31. Squadron-Leader Emrys Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for War why Western Command has issued notices on farmers at Talybont and Dyffryn, Merioneth, empowering an 0.C.T.U. to use a large area of land for training purposes, contrary to the assurance given to the hon. and gallant Member for Merioneth that it was not intended to extend the areas held for training purposes in the county of Merioneth.

Mr. Lawson

There has been no extension of the area over which training rights are exercised; the notices simply renewed the rights already possessed for a further period of six months.

32. Squadron-Leader Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for War how many training establishments and how many acres of land were held by his Department in each of the counties of Wales at V J-Day and at 1st March, 1946, respectively.

Mr. Lawson

I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

The following table shows for 15th August, 1945, and 1st March, 1946, the training areas owned or leased by the War Department, the training areas requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51, and the land over which training rights have been acquired under Defence Regulation 52 without depriving the owner or occupier of possession. Land used for accommodation purposes by training establishments or other units is not included.

TRAINING AREAS—WALES.
COUNTY Areas in use for training as at 15th August, 1945 Areas in use for training as at 1st March, 1946.
WD. DR 51. DR52. WD DR51. DR52.
No. of areas. Acres. No. of areas. Acres. No. of areas. Acres. No. of areas. Acres. No. of areas. Acres. No. of areas. Acres.
Radnorshire … … … — — 3 402 13 178,465 — — 2 383 8 41,494
Caernarvonshire … … … — — 6 172 22 103.5I5 — — 6 172 8 71,555
Denbighshire … … … — — 14 261 53 47,602 — — 11 239 7 35,867
Brecknockshire … … … 2 28,556 8 1,149 22 240,463 2 28,556 8 1,108 17 149,271
Glamorganshire … … … 1 420 5 918 51 70,571 1 420 5 918 8 6,998
Pembrokeshire … … … 3 5,960 5 541 10 149,538 3 5,96o 4 431 3 86,560
Carmarthenshire … … … — — 1 40 15 135,513 — — 1 40 8 41532
Merionethshire … … … 2 8,400 5 1,265 16 43,069 2 8,400 4 1,248 8 8,538
Flintshire … … … 1 100 16 384 19 11,269 1 100 13 202 5 8,750
Cardiganshire … … … 1 521 1 250 7 115,422 1 521 1 250 3 70,797
Anglesey … … … 1 106 8 147 18 40,780 1 106 6 127 10 16,799
Montgomeryshire … … … — — 5 78 12 50,051 — — 3 68 5 25,534
Totals … … … 11 44,063 77 5,607 258 1,186,258 11 44,063 64 5,186 90 563,695