LORD SEYMOURI wish to put two questions to my noble Friend the Member for the City of London, of which I have given notice. These questions relate to matters that were brought before the Committee on the Army Estimates, of which several members of the Government were members, and of which I was the Chairman. The first is, whether it is the intention of the Government to lay on the table of the House the militia and commissariat estimates, before proceeding with the Army Estimates, so that the House may be enabled to consider at the same time the whole military expenditure of the country? The second question is, whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measure with the view of bringing the several departments connected with the administration of the Army under the superintendence and control of one responsible department?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLMr. Speaker, with respect to the first question which my noble Friend has put to me, I have to say, that it is very desirable to proceed with the Army Estimates as soon as possible; and 817 I am, therefore, afraid that the militia and commissariat departments cannot be prepared in time to enable us to bring them on with the Army Estimates. With regard to the second question of my noble Friend, I have to say that there is no present intention, on the part of the Government, to introduce any measure with the view of bringing the several departments connected with the administration of the Army under the superintendence and control of one responsible department. If, however, the Government should entertain such a measure, they will give due notice of it.