§ MR. TILLETT (Norwich)I beg to ask th.3 Secretary of State for War if he will say how much of the £40,000 set aside in 1899 for rifle ranges has been actually appropriated; where such new ranges have been constructed; and whether they are open or screened.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTBR, Belfast, N.)The £40,000 originally allotted from the Military Works Loan, 1899, for Volunteer ranges was subsequently increased to £170,000. It has been all appropriated as shown in the Return which I have the pleasure of handing to the hon. Member. The money has been utilised in assisting Volunteers in providing range accommodation suitable for the .303 rifle, either by extending or improving existing ranges or constructing new ones. The ranges for which grants have been made are all open ranges except five, viz., Oxford, Lincoln, Norton (Stockton-on-Tees), Kirkland (Fife), and Clifton, which are screened.