§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Army land and barracks at Shoeburyness and on the use of beaches at Shoeburyness for Army purposes.
§ Mr. HayhoeDefence land holdings at Shoeburyness comprise new ranges—about 8,000 acres—including the Proof and Experimental Establishment and other establishments, and Horseshoe barracks and old ranges—about 210 acres.
There is a long-term requirement for P&EE Shoeburyness and its associated ranges. Horseshoe barracks houses the military element of the P&EE and we plan to modernise and rebuild it to
572Wpenditure up to December 1979 has been approximately £7,200,000. This is broken down as follows:
meet our current requirements. The rest of the old ranges is surplus to our requirements and we hope to discuss its future use with the local authority.
Beaches at Shoeburyness in Defence ownership will continue to be used for the testing of guns and ammunition.