§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Defence what is the approximate acreage of land now owned by each of the three Service Departments; how much has been acquired since 1st January, 1947; and whether the approval of Town and Country Planning authorities is sought before such acquisition.
§ Mr. AlexanderThe approximate acreage owned by the three Services on 31st December, 1947, was as follows: Admiralty, 44,000 acres; War Office, 329,000 acres; Air Ministry, 157,000 acres. Since 1st January, 1947, the following approximate acreages have been acquired by the three Services: Admiralty, 1,000 acres; War Office, 1,260 acres; Air Ministry, 23,000 acres. The approval of the Town and Country Planning authorities is sought, as a matter of normal procedure before land is acquired.