§ 7. Mr. Anthony Steen (Totnes)If he will discuss with his EU counterparts military training in national parks and other environmentally protected areas. [61343]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)We have no immediate plans to discuss military training in national parks and other environmentally protected areas with EU counterparts, but environmental considerations are always taken into account in planning training.
§ Mr. SteenWhy is it that no other European country ruins its areas of outstanding natural beauty by allowing live firing by the military? Is the Minister aware that, on Dartmoor, we allow live firing on three ranges, which, in effect, closes the northern, most beautiful and highest part of the national park for 10 months of the year, Monday to Friday? Does he agree that it would make better sense to concentrate the Army's firepower at Willsworthy, where millions of pounds-worth of Government money have already been spent, and which is only spasmodically used, rather than allow live firing across the three ranges? The activities could be concentrated in one spot so as to allow the public to enjoy the national park for the purposes for which it was set up.
§ Mr. SpellarI fear that the hon. Gentleman is confusing two issues. Areas of outstanding natural beauty that are within our areas of military training are retained better than those where there is widespread public 7 access—indeed, in many areas with sites of special scientific interest, we work extremely well with conservation bodies and we have commendations from them. We have to get that balance right and we attempt to achieve that. The hon. Gentleman should try to separate the two issues. We look at what we can do to improve access, but, in terms of the conservation and preservation of some outstanding areas and many areas of biological diversity, we have a good record, of which we should be proud.
§ Mr. Robert Key (Salisbury)As changes announced in the strategic defence review have materially affected the case put to the inspector at the public inquiry into the Otterburn range improvements in Northumberland national park, when will the Government decide whether to reopen that inquiry? If they do, will the Minister give a categorical assurance that the Army's military training programme will be unimpeded?
§ Mr. SpellarI do not accept that the SDR changes the Army's case. Indeed, there is a strong case for the AS90. That is the one that we presented to the inquiry. The inspector in charge of the inquiry is considering whether those other matters should be taken into account, but our basic case for extending use of the AS90 at Otterburn stands and is sustainable within its own terms. We hope that the case that we have made will carry the day and enable that important training to take place there.