§ On bringing up the Report of the Committee of Supply,
§ SIR GEORGE PECHELLsaid, the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Stafford) proposed to raise 2,000 men this year, and then the remainder were to be raised in April next, if they could get them. He suggested that if they could not raise sufficient men they should supply the remainder by boys.
MR. STAFFORDsaid, this matter had been under the consideration of the Admiralty, and it was their wish to get as many boys as they could.
§ On the Vote of 14,000l. for Iron Ordnance and other Projectiles,
§ SIR GEORGE PECHELLsaid, there was some difference of opinion as to the number of guns and iron ordnance now lying at Portsmouth, Woolwich, and Devon-port, and our various colonies. Now, in the Report of the Ordnance Committee of 1849, he found that at that time there were at Woolwich no less than 11,679 serviceable guns—great big guns, from a 13-inch mortar to a 9-pounder. At Portsmouth there were 1,456 guns serviceable; at Devonport, 927 serviceable; at Chatham, 333 serviceable; at Plymouth about the same number, and 549 obsolete guns; and 1089 479 obsolete guns at Devonport. Now, when he looked at Gibraltar, which was reckoned to be our strongest fortress, he found there were only 600 guns there, and the east of sending out a great many more guns to complete the armament, was only 8,015l. They were now called upon to vote 14,000l. Was this for a second Gibraltar? What could be their intention in asking for so large a sum, when in all parts of England there were no less than 14,961 serviceable guns; and, taking the repairable and unserviceable, no less than 23,963?
§ Resolutions agreed to.