HC Deb 12 March 1900 vol 80 c579
MR. HEDDERWICK

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, in the most recent regulations, the distances at which Volunteers are required to shoot in order to qualify as marksmen have been reduced; and, if so, to what extent, and why.

MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)

Yes, Sir. It is considered advisable that the musketry classification of Volunteers should be based upon compulsory firing. Previously individual firing was only compulsory up to 200 yards, and practice up to and including 800 yards was only carried out optionally by those desiring to be classified as marksmen. Compulsory firing is now extended to 500 and 600 yards, and on this the classification, including that of marksmen, is based.

MR. HEDDERWICK

Then the qualification for marksmen is reduced from 800 to 600 yards?

MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS

Yes, but it is higher at 600 yards than it used to be.