HC Deb 19 November 1888 vol 330 cc1508-9
MR. COGHILL (Newcastle-under-Lyme)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the great importance to the Volunteers of a central and convenient site being selected as the new Wimbledon, and to the difficulty the Council of the National Rifle Association feel in making a final choice of a site, he will give the Members of this House an opportunity of expressing the views of their constituents on the question; and, whether he will consider the wishes of the large majority of the Volunteers, who regard the Cannock Chase site as the most suitable and most readily accessible from all parts of the Kingdom?

SIR TINDAL ROBERTSON (Brighton)

said, he should like to put the same Question, with Brighton substituted for Cannock Chase.

MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

inquired whether the Secretary of State would consider the advantage, both to the Volunteers and to the Regular Army, of a range at Aldershot?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

I am not surprised at the interest which hon. Members take in this question. The first portion of the Question of the hon. Member (Mr. Coghill) involves an assumption I cannot admit. The hon. Member seems to suggest that this House should undertake functions which properly belong to the Council of the National Rifle Association. I have no reason to doubt that that Council will arrive at a conclusion which will be satisfactory to the Association and to the general body of the Volunteers; but I am not called upon to express any opinion in favour either of Cannock Chase or of Brighton, or of any other site at present under the consideration of the Council. As regards the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, any suggestions of the Council of the Association for closer association with the Army, by holding the annual meeting at Aldershot, shall have full consideration. There is much to be said in favour of the general principle.

MR. COGHILL

asked whether, notwithstanding its importance, the right hon. Gentleman intended to take no action in the matter?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, he had at present before him communications from the Council of the Rifle Association. The responsibility of the choice of a site rested with the Council. The proposals laid before him were under consideration.