HC Deb 20 March 1979 vol 964 cc1290-1
8. Mr. Steen

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the proposed plan by his Department to store lethal, poisonous and noxious substances on Dartmoor.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

We plan to provide a protected compound at Okehampton camp, similar to others which are already in use elsewhere, to facilitate training in a nuclear and chemical environment. Small quantities of toxic materials would be stored in the compound under conditions which would ensure that there was no risk to the Service men or to the public.

Mr. Steen

I am a member of the Dartmoor Preservation Society. Why is the Minister so intent on extending the military presence into one of the country's unique national parks? How does he square his view with the Government's policy, which is to preserve and protect the national parks at all costs against any incursion?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Gentleman has got the wrong end of the stick. We are not extending our activities in to the national park. We are doing nothing that has not been done for many years.

Mr. Jay

Cannot the Government find a safer and more remote area in which to store these materials than one which is frequented by thousands of visitors throughout the summer?

Mr. Brown

I give my right hon. Friend an absolute assurance that there is no danger at all from the storage of these substances. They are also stored in other areas. The fact that this is a national park does not alter the situation. It is a military training area.

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