§ MR. MARK STEWARTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, If he will reconsider the arrangements for the Arctic voyage of discovery, with a view of appointing a chaplain to accompany the expedition?
§ MR. HUNTSir, I stated to the House, a few days ago, the very great difficulty there would be in providing a chaplain for the Arctic Expedition, in consequence of the want of accommodation. Since then I have very carefully reconsidered the matter, and I found that no such appointment could be made without displacing one of the officers from the establishment who has been already approved. Considering that that establishment was settled by a Committee of very experienced Arctic officers, I have taken upon myself great responsibility in disturbing the arrangement. After much deliberation, however, I have determined to cancel the appointment of two assistant paymasters who were going as acting paymasters, and to 1107 appoint a chaplain to each ship in their place. I will make the best arrangements I can for the fulfilment of the very important duties which were to have been discharged by the officers who are now displaced.