COLONET, DALBIAC (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he could explain to the House what was the reason for the order by the Officer Commanding the Aldershot Division suspending all firing at Pirbright Ranges on Saturday, 10th April whether it was necessary that such, order should extend to firing after 4 p.m.; and whether, in view of the fact, that considerable number of Volunteers who have been accorded the privilege of using these ranges on Saturday afternoons were present, at considerable expense, on that afternoon and unable to use the ranges, any such order which may be necessary in future may be promulgate two or three days in advance, in order to give officers commanding Volunteers reasonable time to inform those under their command of the order, and so that unnecessary expense to corps and much needless discouragement to officers and men may be avoided?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe General Office Commanding at Aldershot, in response to a request from the Master of the Hounds, who were to draw Chobham Ridges o the 10th April, suspended firing at the Pirbright Ranges, on that day. He was not aware that the Pirbright Range had been promised on that day to certain Volunteers; but on learning the fact, 1131 telegrams were sent to the headquarters of the Volunteer corps concerned. Apparently these failed to stop about 50 Volunteers, who arrived on the 10th, and were allowed to fire that afternoon on the Bisley Range. Arrangements will be made that longer notice shall be given in future.