COLONEL LOYD LINDSAYasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will give a day for the consideration of the Papers relating to the proposed manœuvres? In order to explain his reasons for asking the question he would read a portion of a resolution which had been 781 passed in Berkshire. A committee appointed in the western district of the county protested that the lateness of the harvest was no reason for the abandonment of the proposed manœuvres as far as the farmers were concerned, inasmuch as they had not departed from their original intention, and still wished to aid in the arrangements and to supply the necessary transport. The committee went on to state that they considered they had been treated with a want of courtesy by the Secretary of State for War. ["Chair."]
§ MR. SPEAKERA Member, in putting a Question, is at liberty to state any facts which are necessary for the clear understanding of the Question; but he must not enter into other matters.
COLONEL LOYD LINDSAYsaid, he thought it was necessary, in order to explain his Question, to show that what had occurred in Berkshire did not support the view taken by the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War. He wished also to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will lay on the Table of the House the Instructions contained in his Minute to the Quartermaster General and the Inspector General of Fortifications; and likewise the Programme submitted to him by them of the military manœuvres in Berkshire?
MR. GLADSTONEIt is not, Sir, in my power to set aside the Elections Bill, the discussion on the Treaty of Washington, or the remaining Estimates in order to discuss the matter to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman has called attention; but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War has given Notice of a Bill in reference to this subject. He intends to ask the assent of the House to that Bill on the earliest day he can find for the purpose, and then the hon. and gallant Gentleman will have an opportunity of discussing the matter.
§ MR. DISRAELISir, as there is considerable perplexity and dissatisfaction in the public mind on what is a very important subject, I hope the Bill of the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for War will be brought forward at a time when the House will be able to fully consider it.
§ MR. CARDWELLwas understood to say that the documents referred to by the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Colonel Loyd Lindsay) had been already laid upon the Table.