HC Deb 23 January 1992 vol 202 cc338-40W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the police post at Menwith Hill station in North Yorkshire was built and at what total cost; on which budget the expenditure was shown; and what agencies in the United Kingdom or overseas contributed to the costs of construction.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who owns the land on which Menwith Hill station is located; who has the power to evict and charge persons entering the station and surrounding land; and whether any part of the land is leased.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The land on which Menwith Hill station is located is owned by the Secretary of State for Defence, in right of the Crown. Those authorised by the Secretary of State, as the landowner, are entitled to remove trespassers from Menwith Hill station. Local farmers are licensed to make use of parts of the site under the Agricultural Holding Acts.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons those who trespass at Menwith Hill station have been evicted for civil trespass rather than arrested under byelaw 2(b) of the Forest Moor and Menwith Hill byelaws; what plans he has to seek injunctions, similar to that served on Ms. Lindis Percy, to be served on others; and what plans he has for legislation to replace the byelaws.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Whilst we consider that the HMS Forest Moor and Menwith Hill station byelaws remain valid, it is at present Crown prosecution service policy not to prosecute under these byelaws. Improvements to the byelaws are currently under review. Further injunctions against other persistent trespassers are under consideration.