HC Deb 11 March 1947 vol 434 cc1127-8
47. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the setting up of a Joint Select Committee of both Houses of Parliament to adjudicate, where conflicting interests exist, on the apportionment of the claim made by the Services on land for training purposes which may or may not fall within national park areas.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Arthur Greenwood)

No, Sir. For reasons which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has already given in his reply to the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir Henry Morris-Jones) on 28th November last, these are matters which must be decided by the Government.

Mr. Skeffington-Lodge

Does not my right hon. Friend recognise that if things are allowed to take their course as they stand at present, there will be consider able controversy and heart burning among all the people concerned, and that the adoption of my suggestion would avoid that?

Mr. Greenwood

Indeed, no. Perhaps my hon. Friend is not aware that the Prime Minister made a very full statement about the great progress we are making as regards the disposition, disposal of, and general arrangements about land which has to be taken over for the Forces, and I think the House was pretty well satisfied with what the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Medland

Will my right hon. Friend say when the proposed White Paper on this matter is likely to be published?

Mr. Greenwood

I think the Prime Minister referred to that point about a fortnight ago, when he said that a number of inquiries were still outstanding and that local inquiries would be undertaken, and that, as soon as these matters were put before the House. the White Paper would be published.