The house 447 having resolved itself into a committee of supply,
§ Mr. Calcraft,in proceeding to move the Ordnance Estimates for the year, expressed a hope, that in future years considerable deductions might be made from the amount of the present expence of this department. The estimates of this year for Great Britain were less by 300,000l. than those of the last year; but a large and necessary establishment for Ireland increased the expence in that country, so as to counteract this reduction in a considerable degree. There was, however, still on the general account a diminution of 180,000l. He moved," that a sum of 2,957,181l. 6s. 6d. be granted to his majesty, for defraying the charges of ordnance for land service in Great Britain, for the year 1806."
§ Mr. Wellesley Pole,on examining the estimates now moved, found them precisely the same with those prepared by the late board of ordnance. There was merely a difference in a few items, the totals of Which were not made up when the late board was in office, making the whole amount of the estimates about 7000l. more than the late board had made it. He thought it right to state, that these estimates were the estimates of the late board, adopted by the present, and hence he inferred, that the present board had not only found the estimates correct, but the general system of the late board wise and good. The reduction of 300,000l. on the British establishment was made by the late board. The increased preparations in Ireland, which the hon. gent. had acknowledged as just and necessary, were also adopted by the late board. The merits of the prospect of further reduction held forth by the hon. gent. were also due to lord Chatham's administration, whose attention and ability, with all the regard to economy which the actual and proposed reductions announced, had placed the country in a state of defence in which it never had been before; and of which the present board, with that good management he was disposed to give them credit for, could not fail to make use of for the public honour and advantage. He was sure the hon. gent., in omitting to do this justice to lord Chatham's administration, had been actuated by no wish to suppress the merit of that noble lord and his board, but that he merely felt it unnecessary to go at large into the subject.
§ Mr. Calcraftsaid, that he certainly has no wish to disguise the merit of the late 448 board of ordnance. He had contented himself with so short a preface to his motion, because he understood that any debate this subject might give rise to was reserved till Monday. The present-board of ordnance had certainly adopted the estimates they had found in preparation in the office. They had of course adopted the system contained in the estimates. This they had done because they found the works in many instances so forward, that unless nearly the whole cost of completing them were thrown away, it was expedient to finish them. There were also several works in contemplation, which were conceived by the late board to be essential to the defence of the country; and which it would be highly unbecoming in a new master of the-ordnance to reject without due consideration. The present board of ordnance had, without absolutely adopting or approving of all the schemes, or thinking the whole system of the late board completely advisable, availed itself of the estimate prepared by that boards reserving the power of carrying forward and suppressing such parts of the plans of the late board as it might hereafter think proper.— The following Resolutions were then agreed to: "1. That 2,957,181l. 6s. 6d. be granted to his majesty, for the charge of the office of ordnance for land service for Great Britain, for 1806; 2. That 130,000l. be granted to his majesty, for the charge of the office of ordnance for sea service for Great Britain, for 1806; 3. That 129,230l. 15s. 5d. be granted to his majesty, to replace the sum advanced by the exchequer in Ireland for ordnance services in Ireland, to the 31st day of Dec. 1805, beyond the grants by parliament for the said services in the said year; 4. That 677,976l. 18s. 5d. be granted to his majesty, for the charge of the office of ordnance in Ireland, for 1806."