§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the application of defence byelaws to footpaths and common land.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonByelaws made under section 14(1) of part II of the Military Lands Act 1892 can interfere with highways only in exceptional circumstances, such as when the subject land includes a range danger area. The Secretary of State for Defence is then empowered to make byelaws which, given the consent of the responsible highways authority, can temporarily divert or restrict the use of highways and stop up or divert footpaths crossing or running inconveniently or dangerously close to such land. As for common land, no byelaws may be made under section 14(1) of part II of the Military Lands Act 1892 which take away or prejudicially affect any right of common.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all military lands byelaws made by his Department that cover common land.
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§ Mr. Archie Hamilton[holding answer 23 July 1990]: A recent review of our records suggests that the following byelaws made under the Military Lands Act 1892 cover areas of common land in use for military purposes:
- RAF Greenham Common Byelaws 1985
- Sennybridge Training Area Byelaws 1974
- RAF Fylingdales Byelaws 1987
- The Warcop Principal Training Area Byelaws 1981
- Surrey Commons Military Lands Byelaws 1978
- Aldershot and District Military Lands Byelaws 1976
- Willsworthy Range Byelaws 1980
- Okehampton Range Byelaws 1980
- Merrivale Range Byelaws 1979
- Strensall Common Byelaws 1972