§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the grounds upon which in 1900 the War Office, in the interests of the public safety, reported against the proposal of the Corporation to reopen the disused rifle range in Epping Forest; if he will state the length of the range and the distance at which the public roads cross the danger zone behind the stopbutt.
(Answer.) The range was not considered suitable for use, as two very much used roads crossed the danger zone, one at 600 and another at 1,000 yards behind the stopbutt. The traffic on these roads is so considerable that it was held to be impossible to stop firing while people passed. The range was originally 800 yards, but was used latterly to 600 yards.—(War Office.)