§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will set up a commission of inquiry into the use of land by the Army, with particular reference to Tyneham because of its natural beauty.]
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, I am initiating a review of Defence land holdings on coastal and country sites. I am consulting with my colleagues and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while sincerely welcoming that reply and what the Prime Minister has said on this mat- 1116 ter, may I ask the noble Lord two questions, one in general and one relating to Tyneham? In general may I ask the noble Lord whether he can confirm that of the 618,000 acres held by the Ministry of Defence half are in National Parks and 134 miles are on the coast? Also, when he is taking part in this review will he consider the recommendation of the Countryside Commission, that there should be a court of inquiry to which evidence can be given in order to assist?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I cannot confirm the noble Lord's figures, but I have an idea that, since he has asked me that question, he probably knows they are right—and for all I know they are. I most certainly will bear in mind the suggestion he has made.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, in relation to Tyneham, in particular, may I ask the noble Lord whether it has not been designated by the Countryside Commission a heritage coast because of its great natural beauty? May I also ask whether, when it was taken over in 1943, a promise was given that it would be returned after the emergency of the war?
§ LORD CARRINGTONYes, my Lords, I think that that is perfectly right. I believe that this was considered in 1948 at a public inquiry in the time of the first Labour Government, and the Government of the day decided that Tyneham should be retained. But I think that all of this must be looked at again in the light of this review.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, may I ask the Government especially to consider the position of Tyneham? For, as the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, has said, the people were definitely promised when they left their homes during the war that they would be restored to their homes as soon as the war was over, and that promise was not honoured by the Government of the day. Though anyone must realise that you cannot put the clock back to that extent, I hope that in any commission of inquiry which is set up the special position of Tyneham will be considered and that as much as possible will be done to undo the wrong which has been done to these people.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, I will most certainly give an undertaking to 1117 my noble friend that Tyneham, in company with all the others, will be looked at most carefully. But I would say this, not in relation to Tyneham but in relation to land held by the Defence Department generally: that I hope your Lordships will realise that if we are to have Defence forces there must be training areas, and it is quite out of the question that I should give up everything to the Secretary of State for the Environment.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, will my noble friends take note of the unusual coalition on this matter?
§ LORD CARRINGTONIt is all the more powerful, my Lords.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, while we are talking about natural beauty, will the noble Lord also note that Her Majesty's troops of all ranks are usually very highly appreciative of natural beauty in all its manifestations?
§ LORD SLATERMy Lords, may I ask whether it is true that once it is decided to give up land which is now occupied by the Defence Department, the previous owners will have a right to an option on that land?
§ LORD CARRINGTONYes, my Lords; that is right.
§ LORD FOOTMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will pay particular attention to the claims of Dartmoor?