§ 1," That a number of Land Forces, not exceeding 159,400, all ranks, be maintained for the Service of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland at Home and Abroad, excluding His Majesty's Indian Possessions, during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."
§ 2" That a sum, not exceeding £9,474,000, be granted to His Majesty to defray the Expense of the Pay, etc., of His Majesty's Army at Home and Abroad (exclusive of India), which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."
§ 3." That a sum, not exceeding £3,944,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of Works, Buildings, and Lands, including Military and Civilian Staff, and other Charges in connection therewith, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."
§ 4." That a sum, not exceeding £3,633,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the
| — | — | Gross Excess. | Appropriations in Aid. | Net Excess. | ||||||||
| Class I. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | £ | s. | d. | |||
| Vote 7 | … | Diplomatic and Consular Buildings | … | 4,258 | 3 | 11 | — | 4,258 | 3 | 11 | ||
| Class VI. | ||||||||||||
| Vo[...]te 4 | … | Ministry of Pensions | … | 416,384 | 10 | 3 | 33,538 | 4 | 7 | 382,846 | 5 | 8 |
| £ | 387,104 | 9 | 7 |
§ Mr. S. WALSHI beg to move to leave out;" 159,400," and to insert instead thereof" 159,300."
I move this Amendment in order to draw attention to the abandonment by the Secretary of State for War of the recommendations of the Lawrence Committee, which was described by the right hon. Gentleman himself as one of the strongest Committees ever set up. He told us that this Committee was a combination of military, administrative, financial, and accounting experts. It is only a very few days ago since I asked this Committee to assent to the identical words used by the right hon. Gentleman on this subject. I do not propose now to repeat those words, but I ask the attention of the Committee to the conditions under which this Vote has been presented. I am bound to say that in my Parliamentary recollection this Vote con-
§ Expense of Rewards, Half-Pay, Retired Pay, Widows' Pensions, and other Non-effective Charges for Officers, which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."
§ 5." That a sum, not exceeding £4,050,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals, of Out-Pensions, Rewards for Distinguished Service, Widows' Pensions, and other Non-effective Charges for Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Men, etc,. which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."
§ 6." That a sum, not, exceeding £240,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the Expense of Civil Superannuation, Compensation, and Additional Allowances, Gratuities, Injury Grants, etc., which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1927."