§ GENERAL SHUTEasked the Secretary of State for "War, Whether it is true that the troops in Preston Barracks, Brighton, have been for about six years without any drill ground, notwithstanding the repeated representations of the officers commanding the cavalry regiments that have in succession been quartered there; whether the present War Department will take steps to procure proper exercising grounds; and, whether he will consider the advisability of passing an Act to enable Government to purchase or rent a right of trespass on waste, down, and partially uncultivated lands, in the neighbourhood of some of the cavalry barracks, with a view to rendering considerable tracts of country available for a more efficient practice of outpost duty?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY,in reply, said, the troops in occupation of Preston Barracks, near Brighton, had an exercising ground up to the year 1864, when it was given up because it was unsuitable for that purpose; and from then to this time there had been no exercising ground except the parade ground which 1330 was the property of the War Department. Representations on the subject were made last March, and a field of 15 acres had been procured at a somewhat high rent. With respect to procuring an Act of Parliament, that was a question rather larger than he was able to answer off-hand. In former times, when the country was threatened with invasion there was no difficulty in obtaining exercising grounds; and in some of the enclosure Acts provision was made for the use of exercising grounds. He would consider carefully the advisability of passing an Act to enable Government to do as the hon. and gallant Member desired, but he could not give any undertaking on the subject.