69. Mr. B. Taylorasked the Secretary of State for War why his Department's notices have been erected on Budby Common, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, telling the public to keep out.
§ Mr. SoamesThis is private land, used by the Army for training. Under the terms of a lease which have been agreed with the owners the War Department is required to put up notices warning against trespass. There are public rights of way over the area which are in process of definition under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. When these paths have been defined notice boards will show members of the public where they may walk without trespass.
In the meantime, I am considering whether the wording of the present notices needs to be revised, and I will write to the hon. Member when this has been settled.