§ Mr. Whitbread,referring to the notice which had been given by an hon. friend of his (Mr. Sheridan) relative to the act of last session for raising an Additional Force, observed, that he thought it necessary, in order to enable the house to judge of the merits of that act, that certain information should be obtained with respect to its operation and effect. As the act of the last session particularly purported to have in view the filling up the deficiencies of the army of reserve and militia, he should move for, an account of the number of men deficient in the army of reserve on the 29th of June last; also, for an account of the deficiency in the several regiments of the militia, at the same period, distinguishing the original from the supplementary militia. The hon. member also moved, for an account of all the bounties paid by parish officers under the act alluded to.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerthought that such an account could not be obtained in time for the discussion to which the hon. member alluded; and suggested, that from the return on the table respecting the number of men obtained under the act, there could be no difficulty in forming an estimate sufficiently accurate with regard to the point to which the motion referred.
§ Mr. Sheridanwished the house should be furnished with the fullest information on the points to which the motions of his hon. friend alluded, but desired it to be understood, that he would by no means consent to postpone his motion.
§ Mr. Whitbreadwas anxious to obtain the information which his motion had in view, even if it could not be had previous to the day fixed by his hon. friend, as it might be necessary upon subjects of future discussion. The hon. member also moved, for an account of all penulties assessed on parishes for deficiencies under the act; and also, for that which might become a subject of future discussion, an account of any and what separate rates had been levied upon parishes in conse- 635 quence of this act. By this motion he meant to ascertain, whether the expence incurred by the act was identified with the poors' rates in any instance, or separated from them as the act directed; and he was the more induced to press the motion, because he knew it was much the custom to throw into the poors' rateu, which were already so very much extended, things which were not at all connected with the proper object of that tax.
§ Sir Robert Buxtonsaw no objection to tins motion but the difficulty of complying with it from the mode of keeping parish accounts.
§ Mr. Whitbreadmoved for copies of all circular letters addressed by the secretaries of state to the lieutenants of counties relative to the execution of this act.— This and the other motions of the hon member were agreed to, as was a motion of Mr. Sheridan, for an account of the number of men raised under this act, from the last return up to the latest period at which the same could be made out.