Lord Castlereagh gave notice, that on Monday he would move for returns of the present effective state of our Military Establishment.—As the noble lord sat down, Mr. Secretary Windham entered the house, upon which he again rose, and observed, that had the right hon. secretary been in his place when he gave his notice, he would have put the question to him, which he would now. He wished to know whether it was in the contemplation of his majesty's ministers to carry into execution the Training Act passed in the last session, or to substitute some other means of military defence?
Mr. Secretary Windhamreplied, that he did not know that any other measure was in contemplation; that it was probable the operation of the Training act might be extended to Scotland; and that he had no doubt in that case the people of that country would cheerfully support their share of the burthen.
Lord Castlereaghfancied that he had not made himself perfectly understood by the right hon. gent. His question did not relate to the suspension, or to the execution of the Training act in Scotland. What he asked was, whether or not it was intended to carry it into execution in this country?
Mr. Windhamobserved, that it was at this moment in a course of execution in this country: to what extent, must be subject to the discretion of the executive government, who would, in this case, be guided by circumstances. As far as taking the names, and balloting from the lists, the measure would be put into complete activity.
Lord Castlereaghagain enquired, whether it was meant to carry the measure into execution in a military sense, or merely to confine it to the obtaining of names and a consequent ballot. Did his majesty's ministers intend that the Training should take place?
Mr. Windhamrepeated, that the extent 427 of the operation of the act must be regulated by circumstances. That as it was not likely that any material circumstance would occur, it was assuredly the intention of government to carry the measure into as complete execution as it was ever proposed to do. At no time was it likely that it would extend to the whole of the kingdom.