HC Deb 13 December 1949 vol 470 c2498
34 and 35. Mr. Granville Sharp

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how muck land is owned by his Department in the island of Alderney; for what purposes it is now used; and how long he proposes retaining it;

(2) how much land is held by his Department in the island of Alderney under D.R. 51 and D.R. 52; when was the last occasion on which it was used for training or manoeuvres; and to what extent he now proposes relinquishing these rights.

Mr. Shinwell

My Department owns some 180 acres on the island of Alderney. Most of the property owned is let, the buildings for habitation and the land for grazing. The future of the property is still under consideration. No land is held under Defence Regulation 51 or Defence Regulation 52.

Mr. Sharp

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a recent committee of the Privy Council recommended that all land that was not required should be handed over to the island so that it could be used for cultivation, and would he if possible get out of Alderney as soon as possible?

Mr. Shinwell

We cannot give up land if we require it.