§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Army is negotiating to secure Glen Affric for infantry training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ReynoldsMy right hon. Friend is seeking through the Scottish Landowners Federation the permission of the owners and tenants at Glen Affric for the Army to undertake a limited amount of adventure training in the area. The42W training would involve small parties of about eightmen in camping there for some ten days and carrying out such activities as cross-country movement, patrolling and map reading. Supplies would sometimes be dropped by helicopter, but no vehicles or firing would be involved. The exercises would be arranged only at periods convenient to the owners, and would not affect any existing rights of public access.
Similar training was successfully carried out with the full consent of the owners at Glen Trool last year.