The Earl of Haddington, in reference to a conversation which took place on Tuesday night, wished to observe, that in the returns of the number of yeomanry corps to be disbanded on the 31st of March instant, he found that no less than six corps were to be dismissed in Scotland, of which four were entire regiments, and two only single troops. Now, the noble Viscount opposite (Viscount Melbourne) had stated, that in the selection for dismissal, her Majesty's 902 Government was guided by two circumstances; one was, the fact of their being single troops, and the other was the necessity of reconsidering the constitution of those corps which were raised in a somewhat hasty manner during the incendiary fires of 1830. Now, the last of those reasons did not apply to Scotland, where there were no fires, and where many of the troops were raised before that time. He wished, therefore, to ask the noble Viscount whether a single corps of yeomanry would exist in Scotland after the 31st of March instant?
§ Viscount Melbournebelieved, that there would; but he was not perfectly aware how the case stood, but at any rate he believed that this force was not likely to be called for in that part of the country.
The Earl of Haddingtonwas afraid that in Edinburgh county, and in the counties of Renfrew, Lanark, and Stirling, where there was a manufacturing population, that force might be required, and they were left entirely destitute?
§ House adjourned.