§ COLONEL H. VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state how many ranges there are within a reasonable distance of the Metropolis certificated for the compulsory class firing of the 30,000 Volunteer troops in London; and if shooting at an uncertificated range is practically forbidden, as in the case of the Staines range, whereby the expenditure of £32,000 by patriotic individuals, with the encouragement of his predecessor, has been rendered useless and unremunerative?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,&c.) Stirling,There are 14 ranges within a reasonable distance of the Metropolis used by London Volunteer 439 corps. Ranges are not certified for class-firing specially, but with reference to their safety for the purposes for which they are required. When a range is declared to be unsafe the use of it is practically forbidden. I have no knowledge of the amount of the expenditure incurred by the private company to which the Staines Range belongs.
§ COLONEL HOWARD VINCENTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Staines Range was established under the direct encouragement of his predecessor?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI believe the War Office would encourage almost any range being established, but that does not relieve us of any responsibility for what may happen hereafter.