HC Deb 06 July 1903 vol 124 cc1386-7
MR. CROMBIE

To ask the Secretary of State for War what is the acreage available round Stobs Castle, Hawick, for military training, and how many infantry soldiers, regular and auxiliary, will be exercised on this area during the month of July current; and, in the event of the area proving too small, whether he could transfer the training of these troops to Salisbury Plain; also whether it is contemplated to acquire further area for the training of troops in Scotland.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The Stobs estate, which has been purchased, is of 3,615 acres; negotiations are in progress for the purchase of a further tract of country adjoining this estate. The arrangements for the training in this district are made by the General Officer Commanding, and no details have been forwarded to the War Office. So far as Salisbury Plain is concerned the arrangements for training there have been completed, and they could not now be added to.