HC Deb 23 March 1955 vol 538 cc2060-1
35. Mr. Bowden

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the Royal Air Force camp named Treleaver in the Kerrier Rural District Council area, Cornwall, was completed and ready for occupation; what was the cost of building this camp; for what personnel in total this camp was intended to cater, and how many actually occupy it at present; and for what purpose it is intended to use this camp.

Mr. Ward

The domestic camp at Treleaver was completed on 31st March, 1954. It cost £164,000 and can accommodate 85 men, with messing facilities for a further 700 in emergency. It is at present unoccupied but will shortly be used to accommodate the operating parties of three local signals units.

Mr. Bowden

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether this camp is unoccupied, because it has been built either upon or adjacent to a refuse tip? Will he say further whether the R.A.F. medical authorities have advised the Air Ministry not to occupy this camp at the moment?

Mr. Ward

Yes, Sir., it is quite true that the opening of the camp has been delayed by the need to move a nearby refuse tip which created a risk to health. We are now in touch with the rural district council and we hope that we shall be able to move into the camp within the next few weeks.

Mr. G. R. Howard

Is my hon. Friend aware that this camp, which is situated in the constituency which I have the honour to represent, was built with the knowledge that the refuse tip was there, and that somebody must have known it because the refuse tip has been in use by the local authority for many years? Is my hon. Friend further aware that the situation will resolve itself within, I believe, the next fortnight or three weeks, and that I had that information from the authority this morning?