§ MR. BULL (Hammersmith)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the rifle range at Wormwood Scrubbs has been permanently closed; and, if so, will he explain why; and whether, in view of the expenditure incurred in making the ranges safe and the loss of employment to persons in the neighbourhood, he will consider the 309 advisability of using the rifle butts at the east end of the common, avoiding the proximity to the prison, particularly in view of the difficulty which exists in establishing rifle ranges in the metropolitan area.
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTThis range will be kept closed until some means can be found for securing real protection from danger. It was found that many bullets had fallen into the prison enclosure near the range, and, therefore, presumably into the open space behind the range, which is open to the public. In view of this danger it would not appear advisable to take the course suggested by my hon. friend. I am fully aware of the great inconvenience caused by the closing of the range, but I can assure the House that every endeavour will be taken to discover such means of protection as will enable it to be reopened.