§ MR. RADCLIFFE COOKEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he could give the names of the Militia battalions who used Morris's tubes at their last training; can he state why, by Army Order 22 of January 1889, p. 36, the issue of Morris's tubes to the Militia has been restricted to "a limited number of battalions," and on what principle the particular battalions are selected for the issue of Morris's tubes; are the colonels of the Militia battalions to whom the tubes are issued ordered to use them, or is their use optional; have 217 any, and, if so, what alterations been made in the distribution of the prize money for shooting in the Militia, as was suggested by him in reply to a question on this subject put to him last Session; and whether he will consent to give a Return showing the number of recruits who fired their recruit's course only, and the number of recruits who fired both their recruit's and their trained man's course, and the names of the battalions in which this occurred?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe 3rd Battalion Essex Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers used the Morris tubes during the last training; and the 3rd and 5th Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers and the 4th Battalion of the Oxfordshire Regiment used them for the training of their recruits. The issue was restricted to such stations as were provided with galleries for the use of the Morris tube; where issued the use of the tube is obligatory. Alterations have been made in the distribution of the prize money for good shooting in the Militia, by reducing the value of the prizes given to the best shots of each battalion and each company, and giving a prize of 5s. to the best shot of each section. The revised Annual Musketry Return, which will be rendered by the Militia this year, will give the particulars as to the musketry practice of recruits asked for by my hon. Friend.
§ MR. ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets. Stepney)Is it not the fact that the use of Morris's tubes has been found to be a step in the direction of economy, and will the Secretary of State do everything in his power to encourage the use of them?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Secretary of State is quite willing to encourage the use of Morris's tubes where open ranges cannot be found, with a view to improving the shooting of the Army.