HC Deb 20 April 1993 vol 223 cc167-8
2. Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take to improve public access to his Department's training areas.

The Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr. Archie Hamilton)

Ministry of Defence training land is required primarily for military purposes. So far as it is consistent with operational, safety and security considerations and the interests of our tenants, however, we continue to encourage public access and seek actively to improve access arrangements, providing additional facilities and information wherever there is opportunity to do so.

Mr. Bowis

Does my right hon. Friend accept that the British people have lost access through closures? Closures made this century in particular have been the result of land taken, rightly, for defence training purposes. Will my right hon. Friend keep a vigorous watch on such land, to ascertain how quickly it can be restored to the public—and meanwhile ensure that access can be enabled according to the needs of British defence interests?

Mr. Hamilton

I assure my hon. Friend that we keep that aspect constantly under review. I recommend to him the pamphlet, "Walks on Ministry of Defence land"— [Laughter.] I assure Opposition Members who are laughing that a copy is also in the Library. It points out the excellent walks the public can enjoy across training areas.

Mr. Cohen

Will the Minister consider the training grounds near the village of Imber and the surrounding area on Salisbury plain? The MOD keeps that land closed to the general public, bar a few days each year—yet only a fortnight ago, a car rally was allowed, at which people could wander around freely over the land. Surely it is time to return that land to the village of Imber, as was promised when that land was appropriated in the war.

Mr. Hamilton

Imber is an integral part of our training area. It is difficult for us to allow perpetual public access to it, but, as the hon. Gentleman has acknowledged, we allow such access whenever possible. I will look into the matter, and write to him.