CAPTAIN VIVIANsaid, he would beg to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite, Whether he proposes to make his statement on the Army Estimates to-night, the Supplementary Estimates having been laid upon the table only that evening?
GENERAL PEELI do not propose to take any Vote with regard to the Supplementary Estimates. If the House will permit me I propose to go on with the ordinary Estimates.
MR. OTWAYsaid, he wished to know, whether the number of men to be voted for the year's service was not settled by the first Vote? But as certain rumours were afloat, it was open for the House to surmise that the successor of the right hon. Gentleman might not agree with him as to the proper number to be voted for the year's service. ["Order!"]
GENERAL PEELThe first Vote will be that for the number of men. It would be of the greatest possible convenience to the House that I should explain the grounds I upon which these Estimates have been framed. I propose to bring them forward to-night, and there would be no use in my doing so unless we were to take the Vote for the number of men, of which, I trust, I shall be able to give a very good explanation. I am sure the House will acquit me of any wish to deceive them. I wish to give the House the opportunity of separating the two Estimates, in order that it may have the opportunity of agreeing or disagreeing with the proposals I shall make with regard to the Supplementary Estimates. The Supplementary Estimates have nothing to do with the ordinary Estimates; but if there is the slightest wish I will postpone my statement.
MR. GLADSTONEThere is no Gentleman in this House who would think of imputing to my right hon. and gallant Friend a wish to deceive anybody in the House or out of it; but I am bound to say 1309 that the question as to the number of men is one directly and essentially connected with the strength of the reserve which you propose to establish. If the public service requires that there should be a Vote of money taken in Supply, of course there is an easy expedient—to take a Vote on Account. The statement can be made without taking the Vote, and I hope my right hon. and gallant Friend will give us an assurance, which I am convinced is required by the facts of the case, that he will not propose to take the Vote for the number of men to-night.
GENERAL PEELI will postpone my statement until Thursday, and the House will have then an opportunity of seeing what I propose to do. I have no desire to bind the House to anything until I have made my explanation.