HC Deb 16 June 1820 vol 1 cc1102-3
Lord Binning

brought in a bill "to enable the East India Company to raise and maintain a Corps of Volunteer Infantry," and moved, that it be read a first time.

Mr. M. A. Taylor

called upon the noble lord to state some reason for so extraordinary a proceeding in a time of peace, and when it had been resolved to disembody the corps of infantry. Until he had a satisfactory reason he must oppose such a bill.

Lord Binning

said, he feared it was not in his power, in that stage of the bill to give a full and satisfactory reason for the measure. The East India company considered it proper to have such a corps in that part of the town, and it was necessary to apply to parliament to enable them to carry that measure into effect.

Mr. Hume

said, he was aware of what the object of the volunteer corps was, and perhaps the House would be surprised when they heard that object, and the way in which it was intended to provide for them. The object was to protect the company's warehouses in town, and yet the expense was charged to the political department. There were, perhaps, some members not aware of the division of expense in the company's affairs. They came generally under two heads—political and commercial. For the political department the company were almost yearly raising loans in India, and yet with the incumbrances on that department they now wished to charge this new expense upon that head. But, independently of this objection, he did not see what need the company had of a volunteer corps for their protection. Why not for the Bank of England as well? They had property to protect equally valuable, and yet they had not thought of such a step as this. He therefore protested against the measure, as involving the company in unnecessary expense which they were not in a situation to bear.

Lord Binning

denied that the affairs of the company were in the state described by the hon. gentleman.

Mr. Creevey

considered it necessary, before the House agreed to such a measure, to ascertain whether the company were competent to meet the charge. That House should have the India budget before them, and a full inquiry into their actual condition.

Mr. Bernal

did not see any disturbances existing to justify the raising of 4 or 500 men as volunteers in the heart of the metropolis. Without good grounds being offered to justify them, he would resist the measure.

Lord Binning

could not help remarking, that the other night, when some allusion had been made to this subject, a gallant officer opposite had strongly called for the raising of volunteer corps in England, and his observations had been loudly cheered; yet the hon. gentleman now contended that they were quite unnecessary.

Colonel Davies

did conceive, certainly, that the raising of such corps was the most constitutional increase which could be made to our military establishment, because it was an increase emanating from the people themselves; but, then, he contemplated that the standing army was to be reduced in proportion.

The bill was read a first time.