§ MR. KENNEDY () Westmeath, N.To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that negotiations for the establishment of a rifle range at Mullingar have been in the hands of the military authorities for nearly five years, and that all the occupiers of the lands proposed to be taken and all the landlords of same with one exception have consented to the taking of those lands, he can explain the cause of the delay in carrying out the completion of the proposed rifle range.
447 (Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The negotiations have, as stated in the Question, been protracted but are now practically concluded. The hon. Member will understand that it is impossible to commence the construction of the range unt 1 the War Department is in possession of the land required, but as soon as the land is handed over we shall proceed.