§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Defence why no action has been taken by his Department to remove the occupants of an old fort situated in the Thames estuary; if he has granted them licence to reside and operate a radio station on it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RamsdenAlthough the fort is no longer required for defence purposes and has remained unmanned for some years it still belongs to the Crown and the persons who took up residence in it last week were, and so far as I know, still are, trespassing. I understand that they have caused no damage to the fort and I concluded last week that immediate 163W action to remove them from what must be a rather uncomfortable spot would not be worth the time, and effort, involved.
No permission has been given for these people to enter the fort or to use it for any purpose. The grant of a licence to operate a radio station from a place lying within territorial jurisdiction, as this fort does, is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, with whom I am in touch.