§ LORD VIVIANsaid, that a short time ago Her Majesty's Government promised that Instructions should be issued relative to the employment of the Volunteer Force, and he wished to know when they would be presented.
THE EARL OF LONGFORDregretted that some delay had occurred, in consequence of the necessity of consulting the 458 Law Officers of the Crown. The Instructions which were in preparation would not be confined to the Volunteer Force—what was required was the preparation of Instructions which should be clearly understood by the Volunteers, the civil authorities, and the public, and which should be in exact accordance with the law. Great care was therefore necessary; but he hoped that the circular would be issued in a few days.
§ THE EARL OF CARDIGANsaid, that when this question was raised in the House on a former occasion it was distinctly laid down that the Volunteers could be called out only in one case, and that was when an invasion of the country took place. Then arose another question, which was whether, as the Volunteers, like other citizens, might aid in the suppression of civil disturbance, they might make use of their military arms, taken out of the magazine in which they were placed. Now, that was a point which ought to be clearly and positively determined. In his opinion nothing could be more dangerous or objectionable than at a time of civil disturbance the Volunteers, not called out under their officers or acting under military command, should be permitted to go to the store and make use of the arms which they had taken thence. He trusted that the law on this point would be clearly and unmistakably laid down.
THE EARL OF LONGFORDsaid, that he hoped that the Instructions on the subject would be very clear, so that the Volunteers might be freed from their present state of uncertainty.
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEconsidered that, under any circumstances, the Volunteers should be empowered to defend their arms.