HC Deb 18 January 1967 vol 739 cc400-1
6. Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has to acquire additional land for training purposes.

The Minister of Defence (Administration) (Mr. G. W. Reynolds)

None, Sir.

Mr. Kershaw

Does the Minister of State recall saying about two years ago that this was a desperately urgent problem; that it was due to the political cowardice of the Tories that it had not been solved before? Does he realise that we have less training ground now than we had under the Tory Administration? Would he now care to choose a word to describe his own conduct in relation to this important matter?

Mr. Reynolds

The hon. Gentleman seems to be unaware of the fact—although I thought that he knew it—that there has been a major reorganisation of the Territorial Army since then, and the spare training land arising because of that reorganisation will satisfy, at least for the time being, the demands of the Regular Army.

Mr. Gwilym Roberts:

Is the Minister aware that this Answer will be warmly welcomed on this side of the House? We appreciate the great need for land for building purposes and land used for training is almost entirely waste.

Mr. Reynolds

I cannot agree that land used in this way is almost entirely a waste, because about two-thirds of the land owned and used by the Services is let for agricultural purposes in some way or other, and during the past two years we have surrendered a large area of land to the Greater London Council and other authorities in the London area for home building.

Mr. Atkins

Is the Minister satisfied that we have enough training land to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces in this country?

Mr. Reynolds

At the present time, yes.

Mr. Shinwell

Can my hon. Friend tell us about the German and Italian forces training in Wales and occupying useful land?

Mr. Reynolds

To an extent, this is on a reciprocal basis. We have large training areas in Germany.