§ MAJOR RENTON (Lincolnshire, Gainsborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if lie can state, with reference to the coming military exercises in Sussex, what public and private bodies, if any, objected to their being held there, and on what grounds they objected; and the names of the private individuals, if any, that objected, and the grounds of their objections.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE,) HaddingtonObjections were received from the East Sussex Farmers' Club and the Parish Councils at Patcham, Alfreston, and Bennington, but no grounds were stated. A petition from a number of owners, lessees, and occupiers was forwarded by the Earl of Chichester, setting forth the grounds of objection, the chief of which were that the Manœuvres Act was not intended to provide for training for three months, and that the land selected was unsuitable for such manœuvres owing to the sheep and to special agricultural conditions. I subsequently received a deputation on the subject, and I am glad to say, in order to meet the views set before me, was able to reduce the period for the manœuvres from three months to one month, this to be selected by the local authorities.