HC Deb 26 January 1897 vol 45 cc495-6
MR. ROBERT WALLACE (Perth)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, having regard to the fact that in the chief events at the National Rifle Meeting at Bisley this year the Lee-Metford rifle is to be used, and that there are only two or three rifle ranges in Scotland suitable for practice with this rifle, the War Office will, in order that Scottish Volunteers may compete on equal terms with other Volunteers, afford facilities for Scottish Volunteers to practise with the new rifle on the Government ranges or otherwise?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

Until longer ranges can be established it is to be feared that the introduction of the Lee-Metford rifle will cause difficulty in many localities throughout Great Britain; but, after providing for the necessary shooting by the Regular Army, the Militia, and the Volunteers, the General Officers Commanding Districts will do all they can to facilitate practice by individual Volunteers and every effort will be made to minimise the inconvenience.