§ SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Northumberland Artillery Militia are to be called on for three weeks' training in July next at Berwick-on-Tweed, where there are no guns, and where the range is condemned for musketry; and, if so, in what manner 744 it is proposed to train this regiment; and whether, with a view to the saving of public money, he will consider the advisability of the officers and men being merely assembled at the barracks, New-castle-on-Tyne, in order to explain to them the new Territorial Army enlistment terms, and then disbanded.
§ MR. HALDANEArrangements for the training of Royal Garrison Artillery Militia during the coming season have been made by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, in accordance with instructions issued from the War Office. They have been instructed to arrange that when possible guns may be placed at the disposal of Militia corps, and that when this cannot be done, the training is to be directed as much as possible toward instructing the men in gun laying, in carbine and marching drill, duties in camp, setting-up drill, and physical exercises.
§ * SIR ROBERT HOBARTAre there any other Artillery Militia regiments in a similar plight, having neither guns nor rifle ranges for use at their trainings?
§ MR. HALDANEsaid the War Office were doing their very best. This was the last training of the kind. There would become fewer Artillery, and the War Office was giving them in difficult circumstances the training most likely to suit them for the new duties in the Field Artillery.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)Has this battery any guns, and is there any range?
§ MR. HALDANEThey are Garrison Artillery, who usually fire out to sea.
§ MR. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman deny the statement that they have no range and no guns?
§ MR. HALDANEUsually Garrison Artillery have no range, because they fire out to sea.