§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, further to his answer of 20 April concerning ammunition and explosives stored near to population areas, whether, following the Donnington fires, he will review his Department's policy in connection with(a) planning applications which involve the encroachment of buildings towards the defence estate, (b) the possible removal of ammunition and explosives stores from current defence estate sites where population areas have built-up nearby, and (c) the encroachment of the defence estate toward residential areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI am satisfied with the present procedures for consultation between local planning authorities and my Department in respect of planning applications for developments in areas surrounding certain Ministry of Defence establishments, including depots holding ammunition and explosives, neither of which are stored at Donnington. There are, however, major difficulties in relocating ammunition and explosives depots from those areas which have already become built-up, although stringent safety rules are enforced. We are equally concerned to ensure that hazard zones around certain Ministry of Defence establishments do not affect members of the public and, although the Crown is not bound by the Town and Country Planning Acts, it is my Department's policy to observe similar planning procedures.