HC Deb 06 March 1990 vol 168 c719
9. Mr. Haynes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the extent of his Department's current land holding; and what plans he has to acquire further land.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

At 1 April 1989, the latest date for which statistics are readily available, the Ministry of Defence held 241,300 hectares of freehold and leasehold land and foreshore throughout the United Kingdom. From time to time it is necessary to acquire land to meet specific requirements, although we are determined that the defence estate should be no larger than necessary for the requirements of the armed forces.

Mr. Haynes

Is the Minister aware that in the wild west of America during the 1890s there were many people around who were known as land-grabbers? The Ministry of Defence is a land-grabber; it grabs as much land as it can get hold of. Why does not the Ministry keep its grubby hands off it? The Ministry should leave the land alone so that it can be made available to people for leisure activities such as fishing and walking. It has enough land.

Mr. Hamilton

The Ministry of Defence makes its land available to people who want to enjoy the countryside, and in many areas we have preserved the fauna and flora. I must put the hon. Gentleman right on his facts. Since 1979, the Ministry of Defence has got rid of 10,000 hectares.

Mr. Brazier

Does my hon. Friend agree that training land is essential if our armed forces are to have adequate space in which to practise their professional skills and that the space available to them is becoming increasingly cramped? We want our armed forces to maintain their very high standards. Does my hon. Friend agree that the pressures may increase if members of the armed forces have to be brought back from Germany? Therefore, is not the Ministry of Defence right to be reluctant about selling too much land?

Mr. Hamilton

My hon. Friend is right. When opportunities arise to add to training areas by buying contiguous areas of land, we look hard at those options.