§ Colonel Craufurd rose to ask the right hon. the chancellor of the exchequer, whether, in the course of the present session, it was his intention to bring forward any measure for the more effectually increasing the disposable force of the country; a measure which he conceived of the utmost importance, and without which it would be impossible for us to extricate ourselves with honour or advantage from the war in which we were engaged.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer answered, that not having seen the hon. member of late in the house, he conceived it probable that he might not be aware of the measures already adopted for that purpose; one of which was the bill for allowing soldiers from the militia to volunteer into the line, a measure which he had now the satisfaction to say had been productive of very successful consequences to the general service, so far as it had gone in this country, and which he understood, though he had as yet seen no actual return, had been very successful also in Ireland.
§ Colonel Craufurd replied, that although he was prevented from attending his duty in parliament, he was not entirely ignorant of the measures adopted. That to which the right hon. gent. alluded, was one which he had himself last year strenuously recommended, and now so highly approved; but he begged leave to remind the right hon. gent. that it was but a temporary expedient to increase the line for the present, and that some effectual provision for a permanent supply to the service was absolutely necessary. But as the right hon. gent. seemed to have no particular measure in contemplation for that purpose, he should himself, at no very distant day, bring forward a motion on that subject.