§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, the right hon. Baronet (Sir John Pakington) had asked him on Friday night whether it was the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill this Session to carry out the views and recommendations of the Government Commission on the Manning of the Navy. He had now to state, in answer to that question, that it was the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill on that subject. He was not prepared to state any of the details of the proposed measure at the present moment, but it would be brought in as soon as possible. With regard to the Navy Estimates, he might add that the noble Duke at the head of the Admiralty had informed him that the sum he proposed to ask from Parliament for the naval expenditure of the country would be the same as that which had been proposed to be taken by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he would inform the hon. Gentleman that he left several Bills already drawn, and having reference to the recommendations in ques- 590 tion, in the office of the Admiralty, which might perhaps be useful to the noble Duke.
MR. LINDSAYsaid, he wished to inquire whether a general Bill, with reference to manning the navy, would be introduced before the House was asked for a grant of money.
§ LORD CLARENCE PAGETsaid, that it was impossible for the present Board of Admiralty to go into details with respect to this important measure between this and next Friday, when he proposed to bring in the Navy Estimates, but as soon after that date as possible the Admiralty would be prepared to introduce their Bills on the subject to the House.
MR. LINDSAYsaid, in that case he wished to give notice that upon the question of going into Committee on the Naval Estimates, he should propose that no grant of money should be made until the House had an opportunity of discussing a Bill having reference to the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners for the better manning the Navy.