HC Deb 15 June 1978 vol 951 cc653-5W
Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in setting up the consultative machinery recommended by Lady Sharpe in her report on her inquiry into Service training on Dartmoor.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The composition and terms of reference of two committees, a steering group and a working party, have been agreed. They are as follows:

Steering Group

Independent Chairman—To be appointed jointly by the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Environment.

Members:

  • GOC South-West District.
  • Dartmoor National Park Committee (two members).
  • Major General, Royal Marines.
  • Duchy of Cornwall.
  • Countryside Commission.
  • Nature Conservancy Council.
  • DOE (South-West Regional Office, Senior Estate Surveyor, PSA, and representatives of Ancient Monuments and Historical Buildings Branch).
  • Defence Lands.

Secretariat to be provided jointly by HQ South-West District and the National Park Committee.

Terms of Reference

1. To keep under review:

  1. (a) Progress made in considering those recommendations contained in Lady Sharp's report on Dartmoor(1) and accepted by Her Majesty's Government in Cmnd. 6837(2).
  2. (b) The achievement of the aims of Government as set out in paragraph 9 of Cmnd. 6837(2), namely the best possible reconciliation of the requirements of military training, conservation and public access.

2. To consider any matters referred to the steering group by the working party and to receive reports from the working party.

3. To report annually to the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Environment.

The steering group will meet as often as required and may co-opt additional members. The group may also invite representatives of other bodies to contribute on occasion to discussion of particular items.

Working Party

Members:

  • Representative of GOC South-West District.
  • Officers of the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
  • Representatives of HQ Commando Forces.
  • Commandant, Devon and Cornwall Training Areas.
  • Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, DOE South-West Region.
  • Senior Estate Surveyor, PSA.

The chairmanship will alternate on a two-yearly basis between the representative of the GOC South-West District and the National Park Officer, the former being the chairman for the first two years.

Terms of Reference

  1. 1. Having regard to the aims of Government as set out in paragraph 9 of Cmnd. 655 6837(2), to consider in the light of Lady Sharp's report(1), the effects of military training on the National Park and the ways in which better conservation and easier public access may be achieved whilst maintaining effective military training; and in particular to consider and implement wherever possible the recommendations contained in paragraphs 300, 301 and 302 of the report; and to ensure that there is adequate local consultation on day to day management.
  2. 2. To arrange for further investigation by the Armed Forces on how best to limit damage to archaeological remains as recommended in paragraph 266 of the report.
  3. 3. To refer matters incapable of resolution by the working party to the steering group.
  4. 4. To report annually to the steering group.

The working party will formally meet at least once a quarter and will provide the steering group with copies of minutes and will report as necessary to the steering group in addition to the annual report. Additional members may be co-opted from time to time as required.

My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Defence and for the Environment are considering the appointment of a chairman of the steering group and I hope to make a further announcement very soon.

NOTES

(1) Dartmoor: A Report by Lady Sharp CBE.

(2) Statement on the non-statutory inquiry by the Baroness Sharp into the continued use of Dartmoor for military training.