28. Mr. Geoffrey Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for War why the Truro Battalion Home Guard Rifle Club have been prohibited from using the full-bore rifle range at Idless, by Headquarters, Southern Command, although still paying his Department on a per capita basis for 16 the use of ranges; and when this ban on their use of the range will be lifted.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Strachey)Examination of this range has revealed that to ensure the public safety, firing rights must be acquired over an additional area. All shooting at the range has been suspended pending the conclusion of negotiations for these rights. If the range remains closed for a considerable period, and no other range can be made available, an adjustment in the amount paid by the Truro Battalion Home Guard Rifle Club will be considered.
Mr. WilsonDoes the Minister agree that this rifle club would form a very useful basis for the re-formation of a local defence force in the case of an emergency, and will he see that every possible facility is given for them to continue as a rifle club?