§ 7. Mr. Hiltonasked the Secretary of State for War how many acres of land were used by his Department in the Stanford battle area, Norfolk in1946, 1952, and 1963, respectively; when the latest review of this area took place; and when he will again review this area.
§ Mr. KirkIn 1946, 1952 and 1963, the land used by the War Department at Stanford was some 27,500, 25,000 and 19,500 acres respectively. In conformity with our policy of releasing all land not required for War Department purposes the need to retain Stanford is kept under review, but we are likely to go on needing it.
§ Mr. HiltonWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a colossal area of land to be retained for these purposes? I appreciate that some land has 1060 to be kept for training purposes, but is not an area of nearly 20,000acres too much? Is the hon. Gentleman confident that it is all needed for training? Is he aware that local people say that a considerable acreage could be given up? Will he seriously reconsider this matter, as land is our most valuable possession and as it is criminal that it should be kept for these purposes?
§ Mr. KirkWe look at the whole matter regularly and we have no desire to hold on to an acre of land which we do not need. We let out for such agricultural use as is compatible with military training as much land as we can, but we need the site and it is in pretty constant use.