§ Mr. Moreasked the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the former Admiralty depot at Ditton Priors, Shropshire, from what owners the land was originally acquired; what were the respective areas; what areas have either been resold to private owners or offered to them for resale; and when the resales will be completed.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe information is as follows:
1. Original Owners Approximate Acreage Mrs. M. L. Moreton 21 Mr. Edwin Davis 15 Mr. John Lewis 209 (Mr. Lewis has since died and there is no successor entitled to former owner treatment) The Boyne Estate 259 British Rail 98 No land has been resold to private owners; but the following acreages were on offer before the decision to withdraw Ditton Priors from disposal:
To Approximate Acreage Mrs. M. L. Moreton 10 Mr. Edwin Davis 13 The Boyne Estate 435 In view of the military requirement for Ditton Priors as an ammunition storage depot, the question of completion of re-sales does not arise.
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§ Mr. Moreasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether it was on his instructions that a three-acre field occupied by Mr. William Radnor, near Ditton Priors, Shropshire, was forcibly entered on 10th January last by contractors employed by him and converted into a park for ammunition lorries; why no warning or notice was given; and what Ministerial apology has been made.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe Ministry of Defence land referred to in the Question was let to Mr. Radnor on an agricultural tenancy terminable without notice in an emergency. The need to occupy the land at very short notice arose because of the urgency of the requirement to use Ditton Priors as an ammunition storage depot. I regret that in the event Mr. Radnor did not receive any warning; the Defence Land Agent called on him the next day and apologised for any inconvenience caused.