§ Mr. Strangasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for new bylaws under the Military Lands Act relating to the regulation of access by unauthorised persons at RAF Molesworth; and if he will make a statement on the powers to be taken.
§ Mr. LeeMy right hon. Friend, in exercise of his powers under the Military Lands Act 1892, is proposing to make byelaws covering Ministry of Defence land at RAF Molesworth. The Act requires the proposed byelaws to be advertised in the locality before they are made, and this will be done for a period of 21 days from 25 February.
The purpose of the proposed byelaws is to regulate the use of RAF Molesworth for defence purposes. The main provisions will make it an offence for unauthorised persons to enter the defined area or to interfere with or damage Crown property, including the security fence. Persons suspected committing an offence will be liable to arrest and to be brought before a court of summary jurisdiction. The maximum penalty for an offence against any byelaw is £100. Similar sets of byelaws are in force at other defence establishments.