§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose the 94 acres of woodland at Risely in 551W Bedfordshire are still held by his Department; why they are not fenced off; if there is any danger of contamination from the adjoining three acres which are fenced off and contain warning signs of a poison gas area; and if he has any intention of returning the 94 acres to civilian use.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAs my noble Friend the Minister of State for Defence Support confirmed in his letter of 11 November 1985 to the hon. Member, the 3-acre former storage site at Risely has to remain in MOD ownership until we have totally reliable information on the nature of the chemical contamination. This will be the subject of investigation later this year. The surrounding 94 acres is being retained as there is a greater degree of risk, should it be sold and developed for housing, that members of the public might break into the fenced area. The unfenced area is not itself contaminated.