§ Order for Committee read.
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Stephen Walsh)I beg to move, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."
In putting forward the Estimates for the Army this year, I would point out to the House that the general form of these Estimates had been prepared before I received the seals of office and represent almost wholly the policy of my predecessors. I would say, however, that I have reviewed the Estimates in the state that they were left by the last Government, and I ask the House to vote £45,000,000 for the Army with confidence, not alone because they represent the policy of my predecessors, but because I am satisfied that they have been framed with due regard to efficiency and economy and the needs of the country. The Estimates, with my memorandum which accompanied them, have been in the hands of Members for a week. The memorandum covers broadly the main questions of military policy and administration, and all that is necessary is to touch upon some of the more important points.