HC Deb 18 March 1859 vol 153 cc383-4
CAPTAIN VIVIAN

said, he would propose to nominate the Select Committee on this subject.

MR. MACARTNEY

said, he must object to the construction of the Committee. It was composed of ten gentlemen from one side of the House, and of only five from the other; it did not comprise any officer of the Ordnance; the three officers who were nominated belonged to the Guards, while the Army at large was unrepresented; and lastly, the late Under Secretary at War and a former clerk to the Ordnance would probably be examined as witnesses, and ought not therefore to serve upon the Committee.

LORD ADOLPHUS VANE-TEMPEST

said, he also had to complain of the composition of the Committee. On a subject referring to military organization the military element was not sufficiently represented in the persons of General Codrington, whose services, owing to his appointment to a foreign command, the House will shortly lose; of Lord March, whose duties in his department and interest in another Committee might prevent his attendance; and of Lord Hotham, the only military man on the Committee. Two Members, Sir John Ramsden and Mr. Monsell, ought more properly to be called as witnesses. From the constitution of the Committee, containing five members formerly connected with the civil War Department, there would he a majority inclining to the views strongly advocated last year by the Mover—namely, that the Army should he brought under the more complete control of the Secretary of State for War, who, in the generality of instances, would be a civilian.

CAPTAIN VIVIAN

said, he had no party object in view when he drew up the Committee. His only desire was to have a full and fair inquiry. He might further say that the composition of the Committee was approved by the Secretary for War.

GENERAL PEEL

said, it was at his suggestion that the name of Viscount Palmerston was inserted in the list.

Select Committee on Military Organization appointed— Viscount PALMERSTON, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Lord HOTHAM, Sir JAMES GRAHAM, the JUDGE ADVOCATE, Mr. ELLICE, Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, Mr. WALPOLE, Mr. HORSMAN, Sir JOHN RAMSDEN, Sir WILLIAM CODRINGTON, Mr. MONSELL, Colonel WILLIAM PATTEN, the Earl of MARCH, and Captain VIVIAN. Power to send for persons, papers, and records. Five to be the quorum.