§ Mr. GrieveTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will publish correspondence exchanged between the Highways Agency and the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club, since August 2001; [43782]
(2) what plans his Department has to (a) sell Broadspring Wood and (b) transfer it to a charitable trust for its long term conservation with public access; [43779]
(3) what price was included in the contract for sale of Broadspring Wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire, to the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club; and how many hectares of land were to be included in the sale; [43780]
(4) if he will set out the terms of the licence allowing the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club to use Broadspring Wood, Denham, Buckinghamshire, for multiple shot shotguns for the practical shotgun discipline; and if the licence is different to that referred to in his answer of 14 February, Official Report, column 546W. [43826]
§ Mr. Jamieson[holding answer 15 March 2002]: The substance of the correspondence between the Highways Agency and the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club was set out in my letters of 25 February and 11 March to the hon. Member.
The terms of the contract for sale of Broadspring Wood are still being finalised. If and when the sale is completed, details of the price and the area of land sold will be in the public domain at the Lands Registry.
As I noted in my answer of 1 March 2002, Official Report, column 1588W, this whole matter is currently under review by the Highways Agency who will write to the hon. Member when the outcome is known.
The licence between the Highways Agency and the Uxbridge and District Rifle Club permits the use of multiple shot shotguns especially adapted for the 'practical shotgun discipline'. Clause 2(k) states "not to use or permit to be used any gun other than a shotgun which shall not exceed 12 bore in calibre or a rifle and in particular not to use or permit to be used without the Owners' written consent first obtained any weapon requiring a Firearms Certificate under Section 1 of the Firearms Act provided that this shall not preclude the use of multiple shot shotguns specially adapted for the 'practical shotgun discipline'". This licence is that referred to in my answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 546W.