§ Order for Second Reading read. MR. SIDNEY HERBERT moved that the Bill be read a Second time.
991§ MR. BYNGasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he intended to carry out any of the recommendations of the Militia Commission, except those which were included in this Bill.
COLONEL DUNNEgave notice that when the Bill went into Committee he should above an Amendment, limiting the power of the Lords-lieutenant to amalgamate regiments of militia to cases in which the strength of each regiment was under 500 men; and to provide that the number of officers should be in proportion to the number of men.
§ MR. SIDNEY HERBERTwas obliged to the hon. and gallant Colonel for giving notice of his proposed Amendment, but he would remind him that in dealing with small regiments, with a view to save the expense of separate staffs they might have occasion to add a very small regiment to one over 500 men, and that to limit the number in each might defeat the object of the Bill. He had not yet been able to give all the attention it deserved to the Report of the Militia Commission, and all that he proposed to do during the present Session was to obtain power to carry out such of its recommendations as excited no opposition. During the recess he should consider the whole Report.
§ Bill read 2°.