§ MR. H. C. F. LUTTRELL (Devon, Tavistock)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of people who use Dartmoor as a holiday resort, he would take steps to prevent the artillery practice on Dartmoor on bank holidays?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.It is not quite clear that the general wish of the frequenters of Dartmoor accords with the suggestion in the hon. Member's Question. It is understood that a great many persons go out to Okehampton on bank holidays expressly in the hope of seeing firing. Again, each battery has a limited time at Okehampton and many days are too misty for firing. If a bank 20 holiday should be a bright day, succeeding several misty ones, it might not be possible to spare the day from the firing course. Therefore, the question of firing or not on a bank holiday must be left to the decision of the officer commanding on the spot. Precautions are, of course, taken for the safety of the public.
§ Mr. LUTTRELLasked whether it was the case that large numbers of people did go to witness the practice, and whether, if they did go, they were allowed to roam about the moor as they pleased?
MR. POWELL - WILLIAMSsaid the people did not roam about the moor as they pleased, but they did go to places of safety in considerable numbers to watch the firing.