§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list British Army military installations that are sited on requisitioned land; when his officials last had contact with the landowners of each site; and what plans he has to return the land to its original use. [56395]
§ Mr. Doug Henderson[holding answer 3 November 1998]The Army's installations, that are entirely or partly sited on requisitioned land, are listed.
County Armagh:
- Cloghoge Base, Newry
- Crossmaglen Base
- Keady Base
- Newtownhamilton Base
County Down:
- Rathfriland Base
County Fermanagh:
- Annaghmartin Patrol Base
- Clonatty Bridge Patrol Base
- Gortmullan Patrol Base
- Mullan Bridge Patrol Base
- Rosscor Bridge Patrol Base
- Wattle Bridge Patrol Base
County Londonderry:
- Masonic Base
County Tyrone:
- Aughnacloy Permanent
- Vehicle Check Point
Cookstown Base
- St. Lucia Base
Belfast:
- Fort Whiterock Base.
Apart from the initial serving of the Requisition Order my officials do not have any contact with landowners except where a landowner wishes to raise a particular matter concerning that Order.
79WThe Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is responsible for compensation arising from Requisition Orders and payment of rents is made by the Compensation Agency on behalf of the NIO. The Compensation Agency would therefore have contact with the landowners due to their responsibility for the rent.
The requirement for bases and installations is kept under constant review and the improvement in the security situation allowed for the planned removal of the Aughnacloy Permanent Vehicle Check Point which was announced by the Chief Constable on 30 September 1998. The closure and planned removal of the Fort Whiterock base in West Belfast was announced by the Chief Constable on 26 October 1998. As the security situation improves there may be scope for further measures; however, there are no plans for additional bases to be removed from requisitioned land at the present time.