§ SIR JOHN KINLOCH () Perthshire, E.I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, taking into consideration the strong feeling throughout the country that every man should be encouraged to make himself efficient in the use of firearms, there is any valid objection to the Inland Revenue Board granting a licence for one day at a given place whereby anyone may participate in a rifle match, a glass ball match, or any match for acquiring skill in the use of firearms.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.There is at present no provision in the law which would empower 227 the Board of Inland Revenue to grant gun licences for a less period than one year. Having regard to the amount of the duty, 10s., it seems doubtful whether; any person could "make himself efficient in the use of firearms" more cheaply by means of occasional licences than by taking out a licence for a year, unless occasional licences were to be granted at a nominal rate. I am considering the question of an exemption from gun licence duty in the case of rifle clubs recognised by the War Office, but I think any such exemption should be confined to regular target practice under proper supervision.