§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, ''That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)called attention to the varying dates at which the Act came into force in various parts of the Empire, and suggested that the time had come when the promise he had received that one date should be fixed for the whole of the Empire should be fulfilled. A universal telegraphic system had brought into close relationship all the scattered parts of the Empire which, when this Act was first passed and put into force, were so far separated from each other that it was necessary to have different dates upon which the Act should come into force. He thought the time had now come when those dates should be revised. The War Office might fix upon some date upon which the Army Annual Act should be brought into operation all over the Empire, and the anomalies which were so apparent in Clause 2 should be put an end to. Everybody who had followed this Act knew that while there were only one or two clauses upon the Paper before 254 them, in reality this Bill spread over several large folios. Hon. Members had not the vaguest idea what they were assenting to in passing this Bill. That, however, was not his point. What was more serious was that the people principally affected by this measure, had not got the vaguest idea what it was based upon or what it imposed upon them, and the House did not appear to fully realise the control which the House exercised through this Bill over the Army at large. The forces affected by this Bill ought to be afforded the opportunity of making themselves conversant with its provisions. He did not know whether the new proposals which were going to be put forward dealing with the Militia would in any way affect their status upon this particular Bill. The Leader of the Opposition had expressed the opinion that they might be adversely affected. With regard to the schedule it provided that where a hot meal was provided for the soldier it should be furnished at fourpence per night.
§ MR. SPEAKERThat is hardly a matter to be discussed upon the Second Reading. It is more a matter for the Committee.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEsaid he should have thought that the schedule would have been open for discussion upon the Second Reading, but he would bow to Mr. Speaker's decision. He thought he had raised an important point with regard to the dates in regard to which he got a most definite promise last year. The point he had raised with regard to the Militia was certainly one which should be taken into consideration before this Bill was passed. He begged to 255 move that this Bill be read a second time this day six months.
§ MR. McKENNA (Monmouthshire, N.)seconded.
§
Amendment proposed—
To leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Charles Hobhouse.)
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.said he had kept the pledge which he had formerly given that the Act and the Amendments in various years should be made more accessible to hon. Members, and a book setting forth the Amendments had been placed in the Library.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEasked if the book referred to was purchasable anywhere, and would it be presented as a Parliamentary Paper?
§ *MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt will be kept in the Library of the House.
§ MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)asked if the alteration which the Militia were likely to undergo would in any way be affected by the operation of this Act? He should like an Answer to that Question. They understood that the Militia was to be placed upon a different footing to what had been the case in the past.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. BROMLEY DAVENPORT,) Cheshire, Macclesfieldsaid that future alterations in regard to the Militia were not in the least concerned in this Act.