§ The EARL of ELLENBOROUGHsaid, he had extracted the substance of this Bill, empowering the East India Company to augment the number of their European troops both in India and in this country, from the Ministerial measure relating to the Government of India. It was on the supposition that the House of Commons would agree to that clause of the measure that he had done so, thinking that no time should be lost in making preparation for the defence of the country, and that it would be advisable that they should pass this part of the measure at once, as by doing so they would save six weeks. He, therefore, took the earliest opportunity of submitting to their Lordships the means by which that course could be secured. If his noble Friend at the head of the Government should think it desirable to accept his offer, he would most willingly give up the charge of the Bill into his hands.
§ The EARL of ABERDEENwould only observe that this measure appeared to be one of an unprecedented character. There must be something very urgent in the circumstances in order to justify such an unusual proceeding, and he was not aware of any such circumstances. He thought there was no reason whatever why this provision should not come before them six 1362 weeks hence, and he could not adopt the suggestion of his noble Friend.
§ The EARL of ELLENBOROUGHsaid, that under these circumstances of course it would be quite idle for him to press the second reading of the Bill.
§ The Order of the day for the Second Reading read, and discharged.