§ MR. FRESHFIELDasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the recent removal of the 1st Regiment of Royal Surrey Militia from Richmond to Kingston did not deprive that regiment of the advantages of a good and convenient drill ground and rifle range, and thereby interfere prejudicially (during the late training) with the usual annual course of drill and musketry instruction; whether the officers were not compelled, from want of space, to hire ground for their mess accommodation; whether the sergeants were not deprived of their permanent quarters for themselves and families; and, whether it is the intention of the Government to supply the deficiency of barrack and other accommodation existing at Kingston?
MR. GATHORNE HARDY, in reply, said, that a camping and drill ground was hired for the use of the 1st Surrey Militia adjoining the Brigade Depôt barrack at Kingston, and the use of a Volunteer rifle range was also hired for the regiment. The camp ground should have sufficed for the officers' mess, and it was understood that it did so when the ground was hired. The sergeants would retain their quarters while temporarily 1966 absent from their families in camp, and cottages have been hired for the staff sergeants at Kingston. There was no intention of providing more accommodation for the regiment at Kingston; but any renewed proposal by the general officer commanding the district for hiring camp ground another year would be entertained if offered on reasonable terms.