HC Deb 23 March 1905 vol 143 cc942-3
MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)

To ask the Secretary of State for War if the rifle range near Lichfield is being used; and, if not, what steps are being taken to make it available.

MR. COURTENAY WARNER

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he can give any reason why none of the Staffordshire battalions are quartered at Lichfield, and why none of the Staffordshire Militia battalions are to train there tins year.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The 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.