§ MR. PARKER (Gravesend)I beg to ask the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state over what area troops may now drill in Richmond Park; what bodies of troops are allowed to drill there in, how many have been refused, and on what principle selection is made; also whether Colonels commanding battalions seeking this privilege should apply direct to the Ranger or should make application to the Military authorities of the district, or should ask permission of the War Office.
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sI am informed by the Ranger's Department that troops may now drill over 640 acres of ground in Richmond Park, viz., 340 acres between the Richmond and Roehampton entrances on the North side of the road, and (except during the fawning season) 300 acres on Kingston Hill between the Ladder Stile and Ham Gate. Volunteers only have 1359 been hitherto allowed to drill, the Regular troops having been restricted to inarching through the Park. An application from the 18th Middlesex Volunteers, I learn, was recently refused, as a more extended permission had been given to the local Volunteer Regiment, and it was feared that their operations would clash. The principle of selection has been to favour the local Volunteers. Colonels commanding should apply in the first instance to the Ranger.