GENERAL CODRINGTONsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government intend to take any steps for the purpose of carrying out the recommendations of the Select Committee on the Billeting System.
GENERAL PEELreplied that, in order to prevent the possibility of a mistake on so important a subject, he wished to state that in the early part of the Session a Committee was appointed for the purpose of considering how the objections raised against the present Billeting System could be removed. The hon. and gallant Member for Greenwich would see that it would be perfectly impossible to carry out the recommendations of that Committee in the course of the present Session, involving, as they would, an expenditure which was not provided for in the Estimates. One recommendation of that Committee was that no Militia Regiment should be billeted except on a line of march; but the House would see that it would be perfectly impossible to comply with such a recommendation, inasmuch as they would have to provide barracks for the men when they were called out for training. He would, however, endeavour to do all in his power, to meet the evils complained of, especially as to Scotland, and would communicate with the Lords Lieutenants of counties to see what could be done. It was the intention of the Government to carry out as far as practicable the recommendations of the Select Committee on this subject.