HC Deb 27 March 1885 vol 296 cc848-9
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I should like to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is intended that the Queen's Message shall be taken into consideration on Monday; and, if so, whether it will be the first Order?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I was just about to make a statement on this subject. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who brought up the Message yesterday, fixed the consideration of it nominally for Monday; but it will be convenient to the House to state that we do not propose to ask the House to consider it on Monday. The clay for its consideration will be fixed on Monday. Perhaps I may be allowed to state what the exact position of the matter will be. The Proclamation which will be issued according to the terms of Her Majesty's Message will have the immediate effect of suspending the transfer to the Reserves of men throughout the Army. It will also suspend the discharge of men who would otherwise be entitled to take their discharge. It will enable the Government to call out the whole of the Army and Militia Reserves. But which classes, or 'what portion of classes, of the Army or Militia Reserves it may be desirable to call out shortly is still under the consideration of the Military Authorities; and it will be more convenient to postpone the consideration of the Message until the actual measures immediately to be taken have been decided on. Postponing the consideration of the Message will not involve any de- lay in any of the actual measures necessary to be taken, as, in accordance with former precedents, those measures should be taken at once.

COLONEL STANLEY

I beg to give Notice that, on Monday, I shall ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether he will be prepared, as soon as possible, to state what classes of the Reserve it is intended to call out, having regard to the fact that all the men of the Reserve are liable to be called out, and that it is inadvisable that they should give up their situations if it is not intended to call them out?

SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

gave Notice that, on Monday, he would ask the noble Marquess, Whether, in face of the immense preparations that were taking place both in India and in this country, Her Majesty's Government proposed that the House should separate for the Easter Recess without according to the House any information whatever?