§ Mr. Hicksasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department intends being represented at the resumed public inquiry relating to the use of Dartmoor by Her Majesty's Forces on the 11th May 1976; if it is his Department's intention to submit evidence; and, if so, what view will be taken in respect of the possible alternative sites for training areas, including firing ranges located on Bodmin Moor and south east Cornwall.
§ Mr. StrangNo, but my Department is prepared to provide a representative at the inquiry if so requested by Lady Sharp. Mr. Higham's report, annexed to Lady Sharp's statement of 6th April, deals briefly with the agricultural land use aspects of each site. As the statement makes quite clear, a Government decision on the use of a particular site, if pursued, would be a matter for the normal planning process. This process includes a statutory provision for consultation with my Department over proposals inconsistent with specified development plans affecting 10 or more acres of agricultural land.