Land Requirements, Yorkshire

Oral Answers to Questions — British Army – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 13 Ebrill 1948.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp , Spen Valley 12:00, 13 Ebrill 1948

asked the Secretary of State for War what acreage of the North York Moors and coastal area were held by his Department prior to 1939; what is held at the present time; what acreage is included in the proposals now put forward; and why the acquisition of new land and the retention of present holdings, involving the denial of public access to a proposed National Park area, is considered essential.

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

My Department held no land in this area before 1939; at present it holds, under Defence Regulation 51, 29,000 acres and has training rights, under Defence Regulation 52, over a further 7,800 acres, but a considerable proportion of these areas is shortly being released. Some 28,000 acres, part of which is new land, are included in the proposals now the subject of inquiry.

In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to Part VII of the recent White Paper. In order to train the Army my Department requires large areas of open ground. Every effort is made to avoid agricultural land, with the result that it is necessary in some cases to seek land for training in areas recommended as National Parks by the Hobhouse Committee.

Photo of Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp Lieut-Colonel Granville Sharp , Spen Valley

Is the Minister aware that his proposals involve the taking over of agricultural land, and the denial of access to that land to many industrial workers of the West Riding and other areas; and will he bear in mind that there are other artillery ranges in the country which might be used, without taking over new land?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

We exercise the greatest care and discretion in avoiding the use of agricultural land. Obviously, if we are to train the Army adequately with modern weapons and according to modern needs, we must impinge occasionally on somebody's preserves. I deplore having to do so, but it cannot be avoided.

Photo of Mr Robin Turton Mr Robin Turton , Thirsk and Malton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that near Catterick there is ample land available for training troops, without going into an area that is the holiday resort for the whole of Yorkshire?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

We must not assume that every piece of land that is open to access is available for training purposes. We require a certain type of land for those purposes. I shall, however, ascertain whether the hon. Gentleman's views about the land near Catterick are acceptable.

Photo of Mr Thomas Scollan Mr Thomas Scollan , Renfrewshire Western

Has the Minister considered the possibility of getting in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture before taking over any land?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

My hon. Friend will not be surprised when I tell him that we are constantly in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Photo of Mr Cyril Dumpleton Mr Cyril Dumpleton , St Albans

Reverting to the Minister's first reply, when he said that a considerable number of acres will shortly be released, could he define that phrase more closely and say how many are to be released?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

Not at present, but it my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I shall try to give him an answer.

Photo of Mr Emrys Hughes Mr Emrys Hughes , South Ayrshire

In the negotiations with the local authority, who is the final authority which arbitrates between his Department and the local authority?

Photo of Mr Emanuel Shinwell Mr Emanuel Shinwell , Seaham

There is no question of arbitration. If objections are raised, there is a public inquiry.