HC Deb 08 March 1961 vol 636 cc449-50
20. Mr. Hayman

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements exist in his Department for consultation with the National Parks Commission and the Dartmoor National Park Committee when extra facilities are wanted in that park outside the militarised zones.

Mr. Profumo

Whenever any military training activities necessitate movement outside areas in which military use has been established, the Dartmoor National Parks Committee is consulted, unless the movement is restricted to that of individual soldiers or small groups in the nature of hiking or rambling. The National Parks Commission also is consulted when any facilities of a permanent nature are needed.

Mr. Hayman

Will the Minister give a directive to those concerned in his Department to see that these arrangements are strictly observed, and will he consider. in his representations to the Dartmoor National Park Committee, this extension of freedom to groups, because there does sometimes seem to be abuse of the National Park as a park?

Mr. Profumo

I certainly wish to ensure that there is no abuse, and I am not aware of any abuse of any kind. I do not think there is a need for new instructions. If the hon. Member cares to give me any detailed information of something which has gone wrong, I will gladly see that it is put right.

Mr. Hayman

I hoped to do that yesterday in the debate on the Army Estimates.