§ 5. General Sir George Jeffreysasked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to close the Canadian detention camp at Headley, near Bordon, Hampshire, in view of the fact that this camp, with its ugly hutments, its mass of barbed wire and its loudspeakers, is a nuisance which, though endured by the local residents in time of war, ought not to be perpetuated in peacetime.
§ Mr. LawsonI presume the hon. and gallant Member is referring to Erie Camp, Headley Mount. I do not expect to be able to close down this camp until approximately June, 1948.
§ Sir G. JeffreysDid I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say June this year?
§ Mr. LawsonNo, June, 1948.
§ Sir G. JeffreysIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very serious matter for this neighbourhood, as this camp is, in the close vicinity of Ludshott Common, formerly a popular open space in beautiful country? Is he also aware that oWing to this camp, and the nuisance it causes, and the proximity of bad characters in large numbers, this part of the world is being shunned by a large number of people?
§ Mr. LawsonI am very sorry that all these calamities should happen to any neighbourhood. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman probably knows, the fact is that this is the result of the destruction of that ancient monument, the Aldershot detention barracks. We have had to get somewhere to put these men, and this is the best camp available. They will have to remain there until the barracks are rebuilt.