§ Mr. More O'Ferrallhad to propose a supplementary vote for the Navy Estimates, and as he did not anticipate there would be any objection to his proposition, it was unnecessary for him to take up the time of the committee. The amount which he had to propose was 165,023l. Of this sum 95,409l. was required for the pay, victuals, &c, for 2,000 additional men for ten months, to the 31st of March, 1841, for the service of her Majesty's ships afloat; 48,014l. was required for the increase of pay to naval and marine officers, &c, proposed by the naval and military commission for nine months, to 31st March, 1841; and there was also the sum of 21,600l. required for the accelerated conveyance of the mails to and from England and Alexandria for seven months, to the 31st March, 1841. It had been suggested by the hon. Baronet the Member for Stamford, when the navy estimates were brought forward, that the number of men proposed was not adequate to the number of ships that were afloat; other representations of a similar nature had been made to the Government, and the result of the consideration that had been given to the subject was the proposal of the present increase. The hon. Gentleman concluded with proposing the first resolution, that the sum of 101,748l. be granted to defray the charge of wages for 1,000 additional men for her Majesty's fleet for ten months to the 31st of March, 1841; and also including the increase of pay to naval officers afloat, and to marine officers on shore, for nine months, as proposed by the naval and military commission.
§ Captain Pechellwas extremely glad, to find that the recommendations of the naval and military commission had been attended to; he regretted, however, that the situation of mates serving in the royal navy had not met with that attention which their merits entitled them to.
§ Sir G. Clerkdid not object to the additional amount proposed to be voted for the naval estimates, as he thought it was called for by the increased number of ships afloat, and by the importance of having them efficiently armed and manned. He could not help observing, however, that the usual form had not been adhered to in submitting this estimate to the House, and he therefore wished to know whether it had previously been submitted to the approval of the Queen in Council. When he was a member of the Board of Admiralty, he knew that it was considered necessary that a member of that body should submit the navy estimates to the House, and that he should be able to enter into any explanations that were requisite.
§ Lord John Russellobserved, that it was better that the estimate should be postponed, as there appeared to be some doubt as to the regularity of the proceeding. He had attended her Majesty in Council that day, and the impression on his mind was, that the application had not formerly been completed.
§ Vote withdrawn.