§ MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will; state what steps have been taken by the War Office for making a rifle range near the Lichfield barracks since the site was approved by the military authorities five years ago, and the approximate yearly cost of sending troops by train from Lichfield to rifle ranges elsewhere.
(Answer.) About half of the land required for this range has been acquired, and it is hoped that the remainder will be shortly obtained, as there is only one owner to deal with. The delay has arisen to a great extent in connection with the minerals which are supposed to exist below the site. The expense of I sending the regular forces, when Lichfield is fully occupied, to ranges elsewhere would amount to between £400 I and £500, and for battalions of Militia when they train at Lichfield and go I elsewhere for musketry, to between £150 and £200 per battalion—(War Office.)