§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKE (Newington, W.)asked the Secretary of State 944 for War, Whether, by the Regulations for the Militia, paragraph 698, prizes for good shooting are granted to each battalion of Militia on the following system:—To the best shot of the sergeants of the permanent staff, £3; to the best shot of the non-commissioned officers and men, £2 10s.; to the second best shot as above, £1 10s.; to the best shot of each company, £1; and to the second best shot, 10s.; and, whether the Government will consider the advisability of altering the above system in such a way as to induce moderate and inferior shots to take more trouble to improve their shooting than they now do, as, for example, by giving 2s. 6d. per man to the best shooting company of the battalion, and dividing the balance among the best and second best shots in all the companies, or in some other way, which should induce each man to shoot his best in order to secure the best return for his company?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The present distribution of prizes for shooting in a battalion of Militia is as stated in the Question. It is in contemplation before the next training to re-distribute the amount allowed, so that a larger number of men shall participate, and in that I quite agree with my hon. Friend; but I do not think that his particular proposal would answer, as if a strong company won the prize there would be very little left for the other companies. The whole matter will, however, be carefully considered.