§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONasked the Secretary of State for War, If he can state to the House whether he intends to propose any alterations to the 48th and the 178th Clauses of the Army Discipline and Regulation Bill now before the House; and, if so, whether he will state the nature of his proposed alterations?
§ COLONEL STANLEY, in reply, said, with reference to Clause 48, he was unable to see how it in any way affected the Amendments of which the hon. and gallant Gentleman had given Notice. With regard to Clause 178, however, which had a bearing on the Amendment, he was prepared when the proper time came to propose that the clause should be amended. Although such was not intended, it might be thought that the clause as it stood affected the relations existing between the Crown, the Army, and Parliament. He should, therefore, in Committee propose the substitution of the words of the present Mutiny Act.
§ SIR ALEXANDER GORDONsaid, that after the answer of the Secretary of State for War it would not be necessary for him to propose his Amendment.