HL Deb 26 March 1819 vol 39 cc1161-2
The Earl of Darnley

said, he understood the motions he was about to bring forward would not be opposed, and he should therefore merely state, in a few words, his reason for making them. He was fully aware of the necessity for economy in every branch of the public service, but if there was any one branch more than another that the public would feel least disposed to stint, it was the naval service, and he thought it would be found that this service had been reduced too low; for he was afraid, from the late arrangements with respect to the guard-ships, that if the occasion required, not even two ships, of the line Could be tent to sea properly manned and equipped. He was also induced to believe, that in the building of the ships all the improvements had not yet been introduced, which were calculated to place them in a proper state of efficiency, when wanted. He then moved for accounts of the number of ships in commission, those that had been repaired, those that were building, &c.

Lord Melville

had no objection to the motions, nor the least disinclination to meet any inquiry upon the subject. He could confidently assert, that the navy was now in a more efficient state than it had been at a similar period after any former war; and so far from the naval establishment being reduced, the number of seamen now employed was greater than in any former peace; the number on former occasions having been 16,000, whilst it was now 20,000.

The Earl of Liverpool

warmly eulogized the conduct of his noble friend and the board of Admiralty, in placing the navy in the efficient state in which it undoubtedly was. The noble earl, perhaps, meant to allude to the employment of a part of the seamen in the prevention of smuggling; but he could assure the House, that the advantages arising from that measure had exceeded expectation, as was proved by the amount of revenue in the two great articles of illicit trade, tea and spirits. So successful, indeed, had the seamen been upon this service, that the government had been enabled to reduce some of the regiments of cavalry hitherto employed on it.

The motions were agreed to.