HC Deb 21 March 1962 vol 656 cc362-3
2. Mr. Ainsley

asked the Secretary of State for War what are his future plans for the now vacated military training camp at Brancepeth, County Durham.

Mr. Profumo

There is no further military requirement for this camp. Twenty-five acres, including the castle itself, is held under a lease which will be terminated at the end of this year. The remainder of the site, which is War Department freehold property, will be disposed of in accordance with the usual procedures.

Mr. Ainsley

As the right hon. Gentleman has no further use for the facilities available at this training camp, will he consult his right hon. Friends the Minister of Education and the Minister of Labour with a view to making use of the facilities now available in this areas where there is 5 per cent. permanent juvenile unemployment? Will the right hon. Gentleman seek to make use of the available facilities by providing these young people with training to fit them for citizenship and a career in industry, rather than allow them to be unemployed?

Mr. Profumo

I will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says, in so far as it is my responsibility. The future of the land must depend upon the views of the planning authority and the purchaser.