Section 1 Powers to purchase land.

A Secretary of State may purchase land in the United Kingdom under this Act, for the military purposes of any portion of Her Majesty’s military forces F1or for the naval purposes of any portion of Her Majesty’s naval forces.

A volunteer corps may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, themselves purchase land under this Act for military purposes.

The council of a county or borough may, at the request of one or more volunteer corps, purchase under this Act, F2and holdby agreement or, if so authorised by the Secretary of State, compulsorily, land on behalf of the volunteer corps for military purposes F3and may hold land on that behalf.

The Secretary of State shall, before giving his consent to the purchase of any land under this Act by a volunteer corps, send an inspector to the land for the purpose of ascertaining its capabilities of being used for military purposes with due regard to the safety and convenience of the public, and shall give or withhold his consent accordingly.