HL Deb 18 December 1854 vol 136 cc423-4
LORD COLCHESTER

called the attention of the noble Duke the Secretary of War, to the fact that the name of Rear Admiral Stopford had been omitted from the Vote of Thanks. Admiral Stopford had rendered the most important services as Captain of the Fleet, and he wished to know whether the question had been brought before the Secretary of War with a view to insert the name omitted?

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE

said, that his attention had been called to the omission; he had consulted precedents on the matter, and, although he found the cases were not precisely alike, there was sufficient similarity between them to enable him to supply the omission. The noble Duke was also understood to say, that the names of Major General Airey and Major General Estcourt had been also accidentally omitted. Under those circumstances, he had handed their names to his noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, and proposed that they should be inserted in the previous Resolutions by Resolution of the House.

THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGH

was extremely glad this would be done, but, at the same time, he was sure their Lordships would feel that, unless there was, on that particular point, a distinct precedent by the insertion of the names of officers on a former occasion, nothing could be more dangerous than the course now proposed—namely, to insert words of alteration in a Resolution passed on a previous day. It was contrary to all the regulations of the House, and might lead to the most pernicious results. It must be, therefore, understood as a precedent confined to the particular point of the insertion of the names of officers accidentally omitted.

LORD COLCHESTER

said, he believed there were two precedents for the course proposed.

Moved, That the First and Second Resolutions of the House on Friday last be now read: The same were accordingly read:—

Resolved, Nemine Dissentiente, That the Names of Brigadier General, now Major General, Richard Airey, Quartermaster General, and Brigadier General, now Major General, James Bucknall Bucknall Estcourt, Adjutant General, be inserted in the said Resolution, and in the Order for communicating the same.

Moved, That the Fourth Resolution of the House of Friday last be now read: The same was accordingly read:—

Resolved, Nemine Dissentiente, That the Name of Rear Admiral the Honourable Montagu Stopford, Captain of the Fleet, be inserted in the said Resolution, and in the Order for communicating the same.