§ The order of the day for taking into consideration the report of the Committee of Supply being read,
§ Sir T. Turtonthought no duty more sacred than that of a member of parliament to look into the manner in which the public money was to be applied. He objected to the magnitude of the army establishment, as being disproportionately great. When he looked at the population of this country, which no one, however disposed to swell it, stated to amount to more than 16 or 17,000,000, a regular army of 371,000 men was more than we could bear. When to these were added, the amount of the Militia, which was stated at 84,000 men, the Local Militia, which was not to be reckoned at less than 200,000, and added to the whole the total of those employed in the navy, &c. it appeared, that we had 900,000 men in arms—nearly a third of all the adults under 40 years. After all, it was impossible for us to contend on the 326 continent with an enemy whose population was estimated at from 60 to 100,000,000; he therefore was of opinion that the military force of the country ought to be reduced to a level with its physical strength.
Sir J. Pulteneywas averse to a reduction of the military establishment, as we had at present no more soldiers than were necessary to maintain the honour of the country, and bring the war to a happy termination. The arrangements of the noble Secretary at War met generally with his approbation. Adverting to what had been said of the Local Militia, he took occasion to speak of the great advantages derived to that force, from having non-commissioned officers attached to it. With them the Local Militia was every thing, without them nothing.
§ Mr. Gilesobjected to the plan of the noble lord for supplying the casualties. He proposed to fill up the regular army with 10,000 men taken annually from the militia. This was the worst way he could take of supplying the army. The hon. gent. then took a view of the several Militia Acts, from which he inferred that the regular quota of the Militia was 70,000 men, and that the 14,000 over that number were in fact but supernumeraries. There could be no objection to the noble lord's filling up the regulars with these 14,000 men, if he wanted them; but to take 10,000 annually from the Militia, would be to take from it a part of its regular quota. How were these to be again supplied? He thought the mode by ballot pressed very heavy upon the country. The ballot ought, in his opinion, to be done away altogether, and the army might then be recruited at less expence.
§ Col. Wooddiffered from the hon. gent. (Mr. Giles) on some points, but agreed with him in thinking the recruiting system preferable to the ballot.
§ After some further observations from Mr. Ryder, general Tarleton, Mr. Long, Mr. Calcraft, and Mr. Whitbread, lord Palmerstone replied, and the Resolutions were agreed to.