The Army must have training-grounds incontestably—bul always somewhere else. Let
it want a part of Dartmoor. The response is certain. Yes, of course, a training-ground is essen-' tial ; no one would question that ; but with the whole of the United Kingdom available, it would be a crime to pick on Dartmoor. It is the same with Braunton Burrows, in North Devon, which is wanted for commando-practice. Let us start with agreement. Commando-practice is essential. There is unanimity about that. The Army must be given full powers to arrange it anywhere in England or Scotland—except at Braunton Burrows. It is a nice point. I know Braunton Burrows. Inland from the sandy beach stretches a wild area with no better vegeta- tion than sedge, coarse grasses and the like, good as a bird sanctuary and good for golf, the golf itself being good for -the large and expensive hotel at Saunton which overlooks the Burrows. The military want to use the Burrows for 44 days a year, using live ammunition on 30 of the 44. Almost every conceivable local council and national society, so far as the latter, are concerned with birds, plants and insects, have lodged protests, and the Ministry of Local Government and Planning inspector. who held a public enquiry on Tuesday. will have his work cut out to strike a balance between Braunton Burrows, which will obviously be better off without the commandos, and the com- mandos, who will obviously be worse off without Braunton Burrows. I would rather it were his job than mine.
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