§ MR. CORNWALLIS (Maidstone)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether in view of the fact that for several years past the West Kent Militia have been encamped at Shorncliffe for their annual training, that Shorncliffe is at an inconvenient distance from the recruiting centres, that the only reason why the training was transferred to Shorncliffe was the fear of infection from an outbreak of small-pox at Deptford, and that now there is no danger to be apprehended from this cause, he will order the return of the Militia to Maidstone for their training during the coming season?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleWhatever may have been the reason originally for transferring the training of the West Kent Militia from Maidstone to Shorncliffe, all the military authorities concerned, including the officers commanding the battalions, are of opinion that the military advantages of training at Shorncliffe far outweigh any advantages which could accrue from training at Maidstone. I am afraid, therefore, that I cannot revert to the former system.