§ MR. BOORDasked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether it is intended to close the rifle ranges at Wormwood Serubbs, or to restrict the use of them in any way; and, if so, seeing how seriously such a course would impair the shooting efficiency of many Metropolitan Volunteer Regiments, whether another range, with equal facilities of access, will be provided in the immediate neighbourhood of the Metropolis?
MR. BRANDSir, the Wormwood Serubbs ranges are now closed in consequence of the danger to the prison. In order to enable the Volunteers and other troops to continue rifle practice at 432 Wormwood Scrubbs, an officer was sent to Brussels to inspect the Tir National range in that city, which was stated to be perfectly safe. The report of this officer is now under consideration. There is no intention of providing another range in the immediate neighbourhood of the Metropolis, as it is believed that the Wormwood Serubbs ranges may be made perfectly safe.