§ On the motion of the Secretary at War the house went into a Committee of Supply, to which the Army Estimates for the current year were referred.
The Secretary at Warobserved, that notwithstanding the order of the house was 842 given on Friday se'nnight, the Army Estimates had not been printed till this afternoon. As soon as he was acquainted with the circumstance, he pressed the printer as much as possible to expedite the business; but owing to the great mass of papers relating to the Inquiry into the Conduct of the Commander in Chief, it was not in his power to procure the Estimates sooner. However late they were ready, he trusted the house would have no objection to go into them to-day, as it would be a matter of great convenience to the regular army, the militia, and foreign corps.—Indeed, he could anticipate no objection, as the Estimates were nearly the same as those of last year, with the exception of 200,000l. arising from the actual increase of the establishment, which would be ascertained, by comparing the Estimates now offered with the last year's accounts. The establishment had stood very high last year, but, by this comparison, it would be seen, that it had now reached much nearer the complete number of effectives. The Militia was nearly in the same state, and the Foreign Corps had rather increased. Another cause of the increase on the Estimate, was, from the additional expence in some things, which had before been voted among the extraordinaries of the army, but which were now introduced into the regular accounts.—It had been recommended by the Commissioners of Military Inquiry, to put every possible annual account into the Estimate; and agreeing in the expediency of this mode, he had adopted their recommendation. The Estimate for the present year was also higher, on account of the last year's expences exceeding the Estimate of that year. Another nominal addition also appeared on the face of the Estimate, namely, that of the allowance of a second Lieutenant-Colonel in regiments of cavalry, who, though they had formerly been borne, yet never appeared in these calculations. With regard to the number of effectives, which had been brought up so near the establishment, he could not now give a certain account, owing to the return of men lost in the Spanish Campaign not having been deducted. As for the non-effectives which appeared on the Estimate, that was very necessary, as the recruiting service was solely provided for out of that fund. Before he moved the several Estimates, he begged leave to notice, that in the course of the present session he should have to 843 propose some measure, for the benefit of Colonels of regiments, commensurate to the losses they sustained, in consequence of many late acts, which bore hard upon their accustomed profits.
§ General Gascoynethen explained the nature of these losses, and the hardship it was upon Colonels of regiments to pay at the rate of 35 per cent. as duties on necessaries exported for his majesty's service. From this, and other taxes upon their profits, they were now 60 per cent. less than they were formerly. He was glad therefore to hear from the Secretary at War, that in consequence of the Sixth Report of Military Inquiry, some relief was intended to be afforded them in the course of this Session.
The Secretary at Warsaid, that he had only waited till the whole Reports of that Committee were brought forward, and would immediately proceed on this subject.
§ Mr. Calcraftwould be glad to be informed what was the cause of the increase, he observed from the Estimate on the Public Department; and also how it happened after so many Volunteers had gone into the Local Militia, that the expence for that species of force was the same as last year.
The Secretary at Warsaid, as there was no vote for either of these asked this day, it might perhaps be as well not to enter upon the subject, till it came regularly before them, when there would be sufficient opportunity for explanation.
§ Mr. Longobserved, that although these matters were not absolutely before them, he would be happy to give the hon. gent. a short answer to his question relative to the Public Department, which was this year estimated at nearly 30,000l. more than it was last. This was not an increase of expence but of estimate. Agreeing with the Committee of Military Inquiry, and his right hon. friend the Secretary at War, that every expence which could be brought within the Annual Estimates ought to appear there, he had added to this the Contingencies of Deputies abroad, amounting to 15,000l.; Exchequer Fees 5,801l.; Deputies to the army under sir John Moore, that under general Spencer, and the deputies at Madeira and at Lisbon, making in all the amount of increase now charged.
The Secretary at Warthen moved: 1. "That a number of Land Forces, not exceeding 133,922 effective men, commissioned and non-commissioned officers in- 844 cluded, be employed in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, from the 25th of Dec. 1808 to the 24th of Dec. 1809.—2. That a sum, not exceeding 7,582,378l. 16s. 11d. be granted to his majesty, for defraying the Charge of his majesty's Land Forces at home and abroad (excepting the regiments in the East Indies, the foreign corps in British pay, and the embodied Militia) including the charge of pay and daily allowance of commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and private men, the charge of cloathing for non-commissioned officers and private men, the charge of agency, and the charge of annual allowances to be made to field officers, captains, and riding masters, and the extra allowance for farriery, as also certain Miscellaneous Charges on account of the said Forces, from the 25th of Dec. 1808 to the 24th of Dec. 1809.—3. That a sum, not exceeding 29,322l. 10s. be granted to his majesty, for defraying the charge of five troops of dragoons, and 15 companies of foot, stationed in Great Britain for the purpose of recruiting the corps serving in East India, from the 25th of Dec. 1808 to the 24th of Dec. 1809.—4. That a sum, not exceeding 3,048,647l. 19s. 5d. be granted to his majesty, for defraying the Charge of the Embodied Militia of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the Royal Corps of Miners of Devon and Cornwall, from the 25th of Dec. 1808 to the 24th of Dec. 1809.—5. That a sum not exceeding 933,654l. 6s. 10d. be granted to his majesty, for defraying the charge of Foreign Corps in the service of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, from the 25th of Dec. 1808 to the 24th of Dec. 1809."
The Resolutions were severally agreed to, and the Chairman was ordered to report to-morrow.