§ Colonel Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he is taking steps in conjunction with the Conservators of Ashdown Forest to procure an equivalent area of land in substitution for all camp sites permanently retained on that common by his Department; (2) on what date his Department intends to relinquish Ashdown Forest as a training area.
§ Mr. LawsonIt is hoped that it may be possible to release the bulk of the area during the early part of 1946. No part of the Forest will be retained as a training area longer than is absolutely necessary. As regards the camps, I regret that it is-impossible at present to say which sites, if any, will be required permanently.
Colonel Clarkasked the Secretary of State for War, in view in the damage done to the surface of Ashdown Forest by tank training, will he arrange, before it is relinquished as a training area, that it be reinstated to its former condition wherever practicable, by means of military labour and plant in preference to the payment of monetary compensation to the Board of Conservators who have no staff available to carry out the work.
§ Mr. LawsonThe normal practice, under existing arrangements, is to pay any compensation which may be admissible, but not to reinstate. A general policy of reinstatement by the Department would be impracticable. If, however, 971W some minimum degree of immediate reinstatement were declared to be in the public interest, the other Departments concerned would be consulted to see whether any arrangements could be made.