Mr. Humecomplained that the Officers of the Army were too numerous. It might be supposed that the numbers of the officers were limited by the numbers of the Army. It was no such thing. Two or three years ago the Commander-in-chief had made a supernumerary corps of officers, and the consequence of this would be, that our pension-list would shortly be much increased. He wished to know the number of unattached officers from December, 1828, to June, 1830, and he-moved for a Return to that effect.
§ Sir H. Hardingehad no objection to the Return, and if the noble Lord connected 347 with that department had anticipated any observations, he would have been there to have answered them. The unattached officers were taken from those on half-pay, and the manner in which that had been done would, he was sure, when it was explained, meet with the approbation of the public.
§ Returns ordered.
Mr. Humethen moved for Returns of Officers promoted since the Accession of his present Majesty, and for an account of the additional expense thus created. He knew that it had been the custom to make promotions on the accession of a new King, but the time had gone by when we could afford such an unnecessary increase of our expenditure.
§ Sir H. Hardingesaid, that whenever the question fairly came before the House, it would be found that the promotions referred to did not much increase the expense. He did not object to the Return.
Mr. Humealso moved for Returns of the Half-pay of the regular Troops, and of the Half-pay of the Militia. It had been said, that the half-pay was retained in this manner, as a security for the future services of the officers who retained it. That, however, was not the case; for when he, on a former occasion, moved for a Return of the Officers who were receiving half-pay, and who were acting as clergymen in the country, it was said there were none who were so acting; but some time afterwards it was discovered that about forty persons in holy orders were receiving half-pay.
§ The Returns ordered.