§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact that the Artillery stationed at Woolwich habitually leave Woolwich Common and exercise over Plumstead Common, thereby destroying the surface and seriously interfering with its use for purposes of recreation; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the continuance of the injury; and, whether the opinion of the legal advisers of the War Office has been taken on the point of whether such use of the Common is legal, or whether it is included in the lease of manorial rights to the War Office?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY,in reply, said, that the Artillery stationed at Woolwich did leave there and exercise over Plumstead Common, inasmuch as they were compelled to do so in consequence of not having sufficient space on Woolwich Common. As to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, his answer was, that the legal advisers of the War Office were consulted in 1862 1145 as to that course being legal, and their answer was, that the Artillery enjoyed the same right to practice on Plumstead Common which was enjoyed since 1745.