HC Deb 09 May 1815 vol 31 c227

The House having resolved itself into a committee on the Bill, "to continue two Acts of his present Majesty, for enabling subjects of foreign states to enlist and serve as soldiers in his Majesty's service, and to enable his Majesty to grant commissions to subjects of foreign states to serve as officers under certain restrictions,"

Mr. Horner

called the attention of the committee to a clause of the Bill which enacted that his Majesty should be empowered to retain the service of foreign troops for twelve months after the conclusion of any war in which he might happen to be engaged. There were other points connected with the Bill, such as the appointing foreign officers to commissions in British regiments, which he thought demanded the most serious attention of the House, and especially when they recollected the wholesome and constitutional jealousy which our ancestors entertained of the employment of foreign troops. He was sure many members who were then absent, would be anxious to express an opinion upon such a Bill, and to know from the framers of it the precise objects it was intended to embrace. He did not mean to oppose its present stage, but he thought it his duty to state thus shortly his view of the Bill.

The Speaker

said, that considering the great importance of the Bill, and the just and weighty observations of the hon. and learned member, he should take the liberty of moving—That the chairman do leave the chair, report progress, and ask leave to sit again.

This was accordingly done, and leave was granted for the committee to sit again to-morrow.