THE MARQUESS OF GRANBY (Leicester, Melton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, at their last annual training, was obliged to go to Stratford-on-Avon for its musketry course, owing to the refusal of the Volunteer Authorities at Ashby-de-la-Zouch to let the regiment in question use the ranges at Ashby, which are hired by the Volun- 1473 teers; and that the cost of transport of the 3rd Leicestershire Regiment from Leicestershire to Stratford-on-Avon and back exceeded £240; whether it is a fact this refusal also extends to the 17th Regimental District Depôt; and, whether, if this is so, the War Office will consider the advisability of providing a range for the 17th Regimental District Depôt, and the 3rd Leicestershire Regiment, which will be within reasonable distance of their headquarters?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEThe range at Ashby is private property, and the owner will not permit its use by the Regular troops and the Militia. The 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment was, therefore, sent for musketry to Stratford-on-Avon as the nearest range available. Every effort has been made, hitherto without success, to obtain ground for a range nearer the headquarters of the regimental district.