§ Lord John Russell, before he proceeded with the business appointed for that evening, wished to make a few observations upon another subject. He found, that, in consequence of the debate that had taken place with regard to the yeomanry, an impression had gone abroad, that it was the intention of Government, within some limited period, say within a year, to propose the reduction of the yeomanry of the country. Now, he could assure the House, that nothing that had come from her Majesty's Government tended at all to countenance such a proposition. His own opinion was, that it would be better to constitute a militia force on a basis more extensive than at present. Of course, if that militia force were consolidated by means of an Act of Parliament, it would hereafter come to be a question, whether it would be better to keep up that force, and the yeomanry together; but nothing that he had said tended at all to imply, that it was the intention of the Government to put an end to the yeomanry altogether.
§ Sir Robert Peelwas afraid, the explanation which the noble Lord had given, would not remove from the minds of many persons interested in the maintenance of the yeomanry, the impression under which they laboured, in consequence of the debate the other night. There might have been an apprehension that it was the intention of Government to dissolve that force after a twelvemonth had elapsed; but even if that apprehension was removed, there would still remain another unfortunate impression, because he thought the inference to be drawn from what the noble Lord had stated was, that, if in the case of an unforeseen disturbance, there should be an unfortunate necessity to apply for some stronger force, the yeomanry would not be that force.
§ Lord John RussellWhat I stated the other night was, that I thought one of the great uses of a yeomanry was to prevent disturbances taking place, from the knowledge that that yeomanry existed in the neighbourhood. What I stated further was, that I thought in case of disturbance it was far more advisable to resort to a regular force. Of course, I do not mean to say, if a sufficient number of regular forces do not exist in the neighbourhood, it may not be advisable to resort to the yeomanry; but I must still entertain the opinion, that the calling in of the yeo- 820 manry is far more likely to continue the ill-will and dissension in different parts of the community, than the calling in of the regular force.
§ Sir Robert PeelI beg leave to ask the noble Lord of what use will be the impression that there is a large yeomanry force in the neighbourhood, if there is to be another impression that such force will not be called out.
§ Lord John RussellNow really what the right hon. Gentleman has just said, makes it necessary for me to state what I had hoped I had clearly stated before. I do not think it is the most desirable force to call out, if disturbance exists: but if there is not a sufficient force in the neighbourhood, then the yeomanry must be resorted to, although I wish another force should be in the neighbourhood.