THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, I rise to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer the Question of which I gave Notice on Thursday last—namely, Whether he can state when the Estimate for the expense of the movement of Indian troops to Malta will be laid on the Table, and when the Government intend that the House should take that Estimate into consideration? I may, perhaps, also take this opportunity of saying that, in 1722 consequence of the answer just given by the right hon. Gentleman to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Taunton (Sir Henry James), it is my intention to move on an early day a Resolution, as to the exact wording of which I do not now bind myself, but of which I will read the general bearing —namely—
That no Forces may be raised or kept by the Crown in time of peace, without the consent of Parliament, in any part of the Dominions of the Crown, excepting only such Forces as may he actually serving within Her Majesty's Indian Possessions.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, we are endeavouring to obtain the information which is necessary to make the Estimate, we shall have to lay on the Table, as perfect as it can be. I am not able to name an early day for its discussion, but I would propose this day fortnight—Monday, the 27th—for the purpose, if the noble Lord thinks that would be a convenient time; and perhaps that day could also be taken by him, if he thinks fit, for moving the Resolution of which he has given Notice.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINAccording to Notice, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can give me any facilities for the discussion of the Resolution on the Eastern policy of the Government, the terms of which I have placed on the Notice Paper?
§ CAPTAIN PIMBefore my right hon. Friend answers that Question, I should like to ask him another, of which I have given him private Notice—Whether his attention has been called to the resolution passed by acclamation at a crowded meeting of Scottish working men at Edinburgh on the 30th ultimo, as follows?—
That this meeting hails with satisfaction the Circular of Lord Salisbury, as a sure indication that the honour of the nation is safe in the hands of the Prime Minister, and gives Her Majesty's Government due credit for maintaining, with much patience and forbearance, the policy determined upon after the solemn assurances of the Czar," to allay apprehensions, "which were published at his own request in The London Gazette of the 26th of November, 1876; this meeting is also of opinion that every loyal subject should rally round the Government, in order to maintain the good faith, the material interests, the power, the very safety of the Empire, now endangered by the Treaty of San Stefano;and, whether, seeing that the Motion 1723 now on the Notice Paper (International European Congress) in the name of the hon. Member for Gravesend, is the result of that Edinburgh meeting, he will afford any facilities for the early discussion of that Motion?
§ Mr. M'LARENasked the hon. and gallant Member for Gravesend (Captain Pim), Whether the meeting which he had described as consisting of the working men of Edinburgh was not a meeting merely of Conservative working men?
§ MR. SPEAKERI have to point out that the Question of the hon. Member for Edinburgh cannot be put, as it does not relate to a Bill or Motion before the House.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the Question of the hon. Member for Birmingham (Mr. Chamberlain), and also that of my hon. and gallant Friend (Captain Pim), will, I think, be best answered by a reference to the Notice which has been given by the noble Lord the Leader of the Opposition. I apprehend that the Motion, of which the noble Lord has given Notice, would be one to which it would be the duty of the Government to give the earliest day consistent both with the convenience of the House and with the interests of the public service. I have suggested to the noble Lord this day fortnight; but if the noble Lord thinks an earlier day is important, I will endeavour to arrange for offering him one. I fear that it is not possible for me to give the hon. Member for Birmingham what he desires.
§ MR. NEWDEGATEsaid, he had understood the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state that the Reserve was now 35,000 men. He wished to ask, Whether those 35,000 men were to be included in any Estimate?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to answer that Question as well as I can without Notice? These men are already included in the numbers as far as this—that they appeared under the head Army and Militia Reserves in the Estimate of the year. Of course, when the Estimate was prepared, those men were not in the position they are in now. Although I did not happen to be in the House when the Chancellor of the Exchequer made his Financial Satement, yet I thought my right hon. Friend distinctly stated the fact that a Supple- 1724 mentary Estimate would have to be taken for certain Army Services, which would include the Reserve. The Army and Militia Reserve Acts contained specific provisions as to those Forces.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, with reference to what has fallen from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as to the day which he was good enough to offer for the consideration of the Resolution of which I have given Notice, I think it would be best that I should have a short time for consultation both with my own Friends, and, perhaps, also, if he will allow me, with the right hon. Gentleman himself; and I have no doubt that the arrangement, as to the day, will be communicated to the House in the course of to-morrow. A word or two fell from the right hon. Gentleman which, I think, might possibly lead to misapprehension. The right hon. Gentleman seemed to suppose that the Motion, of which I have given Notice, would necessarily replace that of which Notice had been given by the hon. Member for Birmingham (Mr. Chamberlain). Now, I wish to point out that my Motion and the Resolution of the hon. Member for Birmingham are of an entirely different character. The Motion of that hon. Member calls in question, as I understand it, the policy of the Government, not only in reference to the despatch of Indian troops, but in regard to several other matters. I express no opinion whether it is desirable or not that such a Resolution should be brought forward at the present time. I wish to point out that my Resolution expresses no opinion whatever as to the policy of the measure, but merely raises a Constitutional point as to the manner in which that measure has been taken by the Government.