§ Viscount Howickwould not detain the Committee for any time, but as it was necessary to take a vote for the number of men in the army for the ensuing year, before the Mutiny Act could be passed, he trusted no opposition would be made to it. So much discussion had taken place on Mondays and Fridays, that he had not had an opportunity of bringing the Army Estimate forward at an earlier period, and unless the vote was agreed to that night, it would be hardly possible to get the Mutiny Act passed before the Easter holidays. He should, therefore, move a vote for 81,311 men for the year 1837.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that it was his intention to move a reduction of this number, which was considerably greater than it was fifteen years ago, but he would take the discussion on another stage.
Mr. Goulburnprotested against this mode of dealing with the army estimates. He did 662 not mean to oppose the motion of the noble Lord, but he must be allowed to say, that the Government were not justified in bringing the estimates forward in this way, without explanation. They had had time enough for the purpose if they had thought fit to avail themselves of it, as the House had sat since the beginning of February.
§ Viscount Howicksaid, the right hon. Gentleman ought to remember the Ministers were at the mercy of other Members, and when motions were made on supply days the Government business could not be brought on.
§ Vote agreed to.—House resumed.