§ The House having resolved itself into a Committee of Supply, to which the Army Estimates were referred,
§ Lord Palmerstonrose to move the Army Estimates. In proposing those estimates to the committee, he did not feel it necessary to go through an explanation of each particular item: he would confine himself chiefly to those in which there was any material variation from the charge of last year. The committee would perceive that there was this year an increase of force, amounting, including officers, to 11,745 men, making an increase of 220,000l. There was also an increase of regimental charges amounting to 363,647l., and on the miscellaneous services of 61,000l. The noble lord stated the reasons for these increases in so low a tone as not to be audible in the gallery. We understood him to say, that in the recruiting service there was an increase of 5,319l.; last year it had fallen short, and, considering the number of deaths and desertions, an addition of 5,000l. was deemed necessary. On the other hand, some reduction had taken place in the pay of certain officers in the barrack department, from 1l. 15s. to 1l. 10s. per diem. He saw some hon. members smile at this, but he only mentioned it to show that a real desire to economize existed on the part of his majesty's government. When reductions were not made, it excited the clamour of some of the gentlemen opposite; and when they were made, it served only to excite their ridicule. In the staff there was a decrease of 13,000l.; it had been found necessary to increase the number of general officers by two in England, and one in Scotland; and these had their respective establishments of aides-de-camp. A small diminution had taken place in the medical establishment, from the number of invalids who had been taken off the hospital establishment. In the contingencies of the English staff there had been an increase of 2,305l.; in the Irish staff there had been a diminution of 3,000l., owing to the reduction of the number of general officers in that country. But, since those estimates had been made out, it had been found necessary to add one major-general to the number of the Irish 805 establishment, which was not at present included. [Here the noble lord was seized with sudden indisposition, which for some time prevented his proceeding. He resumed his seat for a moment, then again rose and addressed the House; but, after two or three ineffectual attempts to proceed, his indisposition seemed to increase, and, by the advice of some of his right hon. friends, he sat down without bringing the estimates to a conclusion.]