§ MR. ALEXANDER BLAINE (Armagh, S.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact that the Antrim Artillery is to be trained at Plymouth this summer; and, whether the necessary guns and appliances to enable the men to obtain sufficient knowledge of their drill are still at Carrick-fergus Castle, and whether there is an excellent sea range for practice; if so, would he state what is the object in sending the regiment to England, at considerable expense?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN) (&c.) Stirling,It is the usual practice to train two brigades of Artillery Militia yearly at the large fortresses in the South of England. This year the choice falls upon the Antrim Artillery. It is only at large fortresses of this class that there are 38 sufficient modern appliances as regards guns, mountings, &c, for the effective training of Militia Artillery in the use of recent armaments.