HC Deb 06 May 1959 vol 605 c377
15. Mr. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for War the latest number of persons, civilians and military, respectively, employed at Ranikhet Camp, Reading.

Mr. H. Fraser

There are 122 civilian staff and 174 military. An overflow of 99 soldiers from the battalion at Brock Barracks is also living temporarily in Ranikhet Camp.

Mr. Smithers

Is my hon. Friend aware that, in order to accommodate this handful of men, his Department is holding 34 acres of my constituent's land, which is valuable building land, worth at least £5,000 an acre? Can he not arrange to evacuate this land so that it may be developed at an early date?

Mr. Fraser

As I have explained to my hon. Friend before, we will evacuate this land when the works services at Brock Barracks nearby have been completed, but that, I am afraid, will not be until towards the end of 1960.

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