§ SUPPLY—considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§
(1.) Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a sum, not exceeding £25,000, be granted to Her Majesty, in addition to the sum already voted, to defray the Charge for Pay of General Officers, which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st day of March 1878.
§ MR. RYLANDSimmediately moved to report Progress, on the ground that several hon. Members desired to have 522 an opportunity of recording their protest against the hasty manner in which this scheme had been pressed forward.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."— (Mr. Rylands.)
MR. GATHORNE HARDYexpressed a hope that, after the discussion which had been had, the Vote would be proceeded with. Any further discussion might be taken on Report.
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, they would lay themselves justly open to reproach if they allowed this scheme to be hurried, he might say, hustled, through the House. He hoped the Motion for Progress would be pressed to a division.
§ Question put.
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 63; Noes 128: Majority 65.—(Div. List, No. 304.)
§ Original Question again proposed.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLprotested against such a large sum as that which was asked for to-night being granted at such a season of the year and at such a time of the night, and whether or not the new Rules would prevent obstruction, he should move that the Chairman do leave the Chair.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do now leave the Chair."—(Sir George Campbell.)
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERdid not deny that it was matter of regret that the Government had not been able to bring the question before the Committee at an earlier period; but his right hon. Friend had fully explained the reasons of the inevitable delay which had occurred. It was not their desire to curtail discussion if it were really desired; but if the Motion was meant merely as a protest against that which could not now be remedied, he trusted it would not be proceeded with, more especially as there would be a further opportunity of discussing the matter on the Report.
§ MR. ANDERSONsaid, he desired to have a further opportunity of discussing the question of honorary colonelcies, which were a scandal to the Army. The Secretary of State had declared that 523 these colonelcies were given as the reward of long and distinguished services. If that were so, he should like to know what were the long and distinguished services performed by the Prince of Wales, who was an honorary colonel in various regiments, and paid in one of them. He also thought it was unfair that the Duke of Cambridge should receive pay in respect of an honorary colonelcy, during the time he was receiving very high pay as Commander-in-Chief. The pension should be suspended while the full pay was being earned.
§ Question put.
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 30; Noes 124: Majority 94.—(Div. List, No. 305.)
§ Original Question put.
§ The Committee divided:—Ayes 111; Noes 41: Majority 70.—(Div. List, No. 306.)
§
(2.) Motion made, and Question proposed,
That a sum, not exceeding £635,000, be granted to Her Majesty, in addition to the sum already voted, to defray the Charge for Full Pay of Reduced and Retired Officers, Half Pay, and other Retired Allowances, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March 1878.
§
Motion made, and Question,
That 'a sum, not exceeding £30,000, be granted to Her Majesty, in addition to the sum already voted, to defray the Charge for Full Pay of Reduced and Retired Officers, Half Pay, and other Retired Allowances, which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st day of March 1878,"—(Captain Nolan,)
—put, and negatived.
§ Original Question put, and agreed to.
§ (3.) £5,000, in addition, Army Purchase Commissioners.
§ Resolutions to be reported To-morrow;
§ Committee to sit again To-morrow.