I was delighted to read in the Sunday Times yesterday that plans to sell off Hyde Park Barracks have been stopped, at least for the moment. The paper reports that the Palace is unamused, and who can blame it. The MOD's rush to enrich itself in the short term is ill-thought through. The barracks is home to mounted elements of the Blues and Royals and the Life Guards, who perform ceremonial duties in London. Not only is the base superbly located for such a role, but both horses and Troopers use the park to train in, providing a wonderful spectacle to Londoners and tourists alike. The threatened closure of this base and the sale of Chelsea Barracks totally ignores the necessity for having miltary barracks in the capitol. They would be essential for serious civil disorder, natural disasters and the like, and of course provide a secure base for our special forces should they be needed for counter terrorist operations. These bases should be invested in, not sold off. Hurrah for the Palace.