§ Mr. MONK (Gloucester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any grants have been made, under the Military Works Act, 1897, towards providing rifle ranges for Volunteer companies; and, whether, the War Office is prepared to recommend loans from the Public Works Commissioners, on favourable terms, for acquiring rifle ranges for Volunteer companies whose headquarters are not within reasonable distance from any Army range?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. G. WYNDHAM,) DoverNo special grants have been made under the Military Works Act, 1897, towards providing rifle ranges for Volunteer corps, but ranges are being constructed under that Act in various parts of Great Britain which will, it is anticipated, be available for use by Volunteers on payment of the usual rents. The Military Lands Act of 1892 gave the Secretary of State power to recommend loans by the Public Loan Commissioners to Volunteer corps for the purchase of land, and since that Act was passed, about 40 loans have been made under its provisions, to the amount of about £112,000.