HC Deb 13 February 1871 vol 204 cc170-1
SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he will consent to postpone taking any Vote in the Army Estimates till the House has had time to consider the changes in Army Organization to be proposed in the Bill which he intends to introduce on Thursday next?

MR. CARDWELL

I think the proposal is a perfectly reasonable one. I shall not ask for any Vote in the Army Estimates until the plan for the reorganization of the Army has been laid upon the Table of the House. I had, perhaps, better state that the course I think it will be most convenient to take is that I should make my statement on Thursday next in Committee of Supply, and that Progress should then be reported, in order that the House may have time to consider the plan for the reorganization of the Army before it is asked to agree to a Vote in the Army Estimates.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

In view of this being a subject of such importance to the security of the State, I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will not proceed to take any Vote in any Estimates until hon. Members have had a week in which to consider his proposal.

MR. CARDWELL

I do not intend to ask for any decision of the House upon the subject until full time for consideration has been given. The first Vote in the Army Estimates will not be taken for at least a week after the day on which my statement will be made.