§ MR. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to remove the 1st North Staffordshire Regiment from Lichfield to Aldershot; if so, whether he can state what are the reasons for making this change in view of the local feeling that the battalion should remain in the county to which it belongs; whether the four Staffordshire Militia battalions are to be sent this year, two to Delamere in Cheshire, and two to Ross in Herefordshire instead of remaining at Lichfield for the annual training; and whether he is aware that considerable expense will be incurred in making these changes.
§ MR. BILL (Staffordshire, Leek)At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether the troops at Whittington Barracks are still unable to make full use of the new Lichfield rifle range owing to the existence of a contiguous right of way; and, if so, what steps are being taken by the War Office to get this right of way stopped.
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTThe 1st North Staffordshire Regiment is going to Aldershot in the ordinary course for training purposes after having been quartered for the usual two years at Lichfield. It will not be possible to train the four Staffordshire Militia Battalions at Lichfield in a satisfactory manner this year. The troops are unable to make full use of the rifle range on account of a certain right of way over a portion of the range which is only closed during certain hours. I am, however, glad to say that negotiations on this matter are progressing satisfactorily.
§ MR. COURTENAY WARNERWhen are the negotiations likely to be concluded?
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTI cannot say. I shall be extremely glad if the hon. Member will assist us.