§ COLONEL WYNDHAM MURRAY (Bath)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that since the issue of the Lee-Metford rifle 572 rifle ranges have been closed between 1890 and 1899 in Great Britain and Ireland, as against only 208 new ranges opened, will he state what number of ranges have been opened, and at what places since the date of the last return in 1899; and, as it is more than ever necessary at the present time and in future that constant practice throughout the country should take place, whether some of those ranges which were closed could be reopened for short range practice in places where there is no range accommodation.
* MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)In reply to the first part of the question the number is nineteen. If my hon. and gallant friend wishes, I will give him a list of these ranges. Efforts will be made in the direction indicated by the hon. Member in the second paragraph of his question, but the majority of the old ranges which have been closed were really unsafe under any circumstances, and the growth of buildings in the vicinity renders it doubtful whether much can be done in the case of the rest.