§ MR. PIKE PEASE (Darlington)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if lie can give a general estimate of the total amount of capital liability incurred by Volunteer regiments in providing drill halls and rifle ranges; and what proportion of that liability had been paid off.
§ MR. HALDANEA general estimate of this amount may be formed from the following figures. In the Returns furnished by Volunteer Corps on the 31st March 1906 (the latest available) the estimated value of the property was as follows:—(a) Vested in officers commanding and successors £1,080,00; (b) vested in trustees, etc. £92,000. Of this some £65,000 was contributed by the Government in aid of rifle ranges. On that date there were mortgages on this property outstanding as follows:—(a) £526,000; (b) £17,000. The estimated value is in most cases based on the cost rather than on the commercial value, and I cannot pledge myself to the accuracy of the figures.