MR. OWEN STANLEY, in rising to ask the Secretary of State for War, If he intends to retain the 8th Clause in the Militia Reserve Bill, by which Militia Courts Martial may sentence deserters to twelve years' penal service in the Army, said, it would be necessary to make a few more remarks than was usual in putting a Question, and to be in order he would conclude with a Motion. It was a matter of great importance. By the 8th clause of the Militia Reserve Bill power would be given to militia courts martial to sentence deserters from the militia to twelve years' service in the army. [Order, order!]
§ MR. SPEAKERsaid, he must inform the hon. Gentleman that it was not competent for him, by moving the Adjournment of the House, to raise a discussion upon a Bill which was set down to be discussed on a future occasion.
MR. OWEN STANLEYsaid, he would put his Question as shortly as possible. First, he wished to know whether the 776 right hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for War intended to insist on the Clause being retained in the Bill?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONWill the hon. Gentleman allow me to answer the Questions as he puts them?
MR. OWEN STANLEYsaid, he thought it would be more convenient to put them all before they were answered. The second Question was whether the Clauses were in the Bill when it left the hands of the late Secretary of State for War; and thirdly, whether the Commander-in-Chief or any of the authorities at the Horse Guards had cognizance of the Clause being in the Bill before it was printed and distributed to Members?
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONsaid, he was glad the hon. Gentleman had given him an opportunity to answer the Question, which he would do without the slightest hesitation. It was not his intention to persevere with the clause. The clause was pressed upon him with the view of preventing desertion in the militia, but he had the greatest doubts at the time that the House would retain it, and he inserted it without the least intention of persevering with it if he found, as now appeared to be the case, that it was objected to. The hon. Gentleman not having given him notice of the other two Questions he was unable to answer them.