§ Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the Government's policy on the use of Dartmoor for military training;
(2) if he will make a statement on the purposes and importance of the use of national parks.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe national parks were designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for the purposes of preserving and enhancing their natural beauty and of promoting their enjoyment by the public. The importance of these purposes and the need to balance them against other objectives of national policy is recognised in the statement (Cmnd. 6837) presented to Parliament by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Defence on Lady Sharp's inquiry into the continued use of Dartmoor for military training. I would refer the hon. Member to that statement.