HC Deb 31 January 1806 vol 6 cc114-6
The Secretary at War ,

in moving that the house should resolve itself into a committee of supply, for the purpose of taking the army estimates into consideration, took occasion to observe, that he hoped there would be no objection to the proposed mode of proceeding, although it was a departure from the general custom with regard to army, estimates. These estimates were, usually, at least a week on the table, before any proposition was made to vote them in the committee; and such time for previous consideration was no doubt proper and necessary, upon a vote of such magnitude. But yet in this case, although the estimates were but two days on the table, he trusted that the peculiar circumstances of the country would reconcile the house to the course he meant to pursue. When the new administration was arranged, an adjournment for a fortnight was likely to take place, and if the estimates he had the honour to present, were not voted previous to such adjournment, considerable embarrassment would arise in the military department. This circumstance would, he had no doubt, prevent any objection to the motions he proposed to submit; such objection there would be the less inclination to press, when it was understood that the estimates on the table reached only to the 24th of March next, and were formed on the same scale as those of the last year; thus it was left open for those who were to succeed to the administration to make up the military arrangements for the remainder of the year. Upon these grounds he trusted, that in bringing forward the supplies in the way he had described, he should stand acquitted in the judgment of the house of any wish to intrude himself, or any unnecessary plan, upon their consideration. If any precedent were wanted to justify the conduct he adopted, he could refer to the act of one of his predecessors in office (Mr. Windham), to whose very superior abilities he was ready to pay the utmost deference. That right hon. gent. he remembered, in the year 1799, laid the army estimates on the 1st Oct. and they were voted on the 3d. They were on his proposition adopted. But, independently of precedent, he was persuaded that the urgency of the present circumstances would induce the house to accede to his motion.—The army estimates were then referred to a committee of supply, into which the house resolved.

The Secretary at War ,

before. he made any motion ,observed, that on recollection he had forgot to state to the committee that there was some addition to the scale upon which the estimates for last year were granted, and this addition was occasioned by the augmentation of the regular army; particularly owing to the transfer of men from the militia, in consequence of the act of last sessions. To this addition he did not apprehend that any gent. would be disposed to object. It would be recollected, that if any part of the estimates should appear to be over-rated; a proportionate deduction might be made in the estimates to be brought for ward in March. The right hon. gent. concluded with submitting the following resolutions; which were acceded to. 1st 134,473 effective men, including com- missioned and non-commissioned officers for the service of the united kingdom, and on the continent, for three months, from the 25th of Dec. to the 24th of March, both inclusive. 2d, 1,193,105l. for the subsistence of this force. 3d, 505,037l. for the use of our troops, &c. in the plantations, including Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Ceylon, and New South Wales. 4th, 647,584l. for the subsistence, &c. of the militia of the united kingdom and of the corps of miners in Devon and Cornwall.

Sir John Wrottesley

asked whether the allowance to the volunteers was included in these estimates; and also whether any provision was made for the clothing of any of that body?

The Secretary at War

answered in the negative. The estimate respecting the volunteers was brought forward separately last year, and the same course would be pursued in the present. The provision for that description of force, was not so urgent in point of time, as any of those to which the votes of the committee related. No doubt, provision would be made for the volunteer force in the course of the session, and that the necessary allowance for clothing would be included in the provision.—The house resumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Monday.