HC Deb 09 May 1867 vol 187 cc264-5
SIR CHARLES RUSSELL

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will state to the House when he proposes to proceed with the "Supplementary Estimate" for granting additional pay to the Army and the Militia?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said, his hon. and gallant Friend was not in the House when he answered a similar question a short time ago. He hoped to introduce the Supplementary Estimate to-morrow evening.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, in consequence of the intimation which, has just been given, I wish to ask a Question which stands in my name, but which now I shall not have the opportunity of putting on going into Committee of Supply. I wish to ask whether it is intended, before proceeding with the Army Estimates, to bring in Bills for effecting an alteration in the terms of enlistment, and with relation to the Militia and Army of Reserve; and whether the right hon. Baronet will lay on the table an Estimate of the proposed charge which these changes will entail in the next and succeeding years?

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

It is in contemplation to introduce three Bills on the subjects to which the Question of the noble Marquess refers. These Bills are prepared, and it was my intention a few days ago to have moved for leave to bring them in this evening. But on conferring with others more conversant with proceedings of this nature than myself, I was advised that the better course would be—and I hope the noble Marquess will see no objection to it—first to obtain the sanction of the House to the proposal, and then to introduce Bills framed with the object of giving effect to that decision. I could explain to the noble Marquess privately, though hardly within the limits of an answer, the reasons for the course which we have taken. There are reasons why we think it desirable that the proposals brought forward by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Huntingdon (General Peel) should become known to the militia and the army. In proposing the Estimate I shall, of course, be prepared to offer the explanations for which the noble Marquess has asked.