HL Deb 24 July 1863 vol 172 cc1355-6

THE EARL OF MALMESBURY moved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for, Copy of the Letter written by the Secretary of State for the War Department to the Lord-Lieutenants of Counties on the Subject of attaching independent Corps of Volunteers to administrative Battalions. The object of the circular was, he had no doubt, a good one, inasmuch as by attaching independent corps in the manner proposed they would have the advantage of the instruction of an adjutant, and also the benefit of a certain amount of pay under the new Act of Parliament. There were, however, some cases in which it would be extremely inconvenient that independent corps should be so attached, inasmuch as in many rural districts the men would not find it easy to go a long distance to headquarters to be battalionized. As he understood the letter, which be had only seen in the newspapers, it was of a permissive character, the lord-lieutenants being simply instructed to give those corps the option of joining a battalion or not; but there were instances in which lord-lieutenants had not taken that view of the matter, and the corps were attached without having the opportunity afforded them of deciding for themselves. He should like, therefore, to ascertain from his noble Friend what was the real meaning of the circular letter which he had issued on the subject.

EARL DE GREY AND RIPON

said, the view taken by the Government in forming administrative battalions had always been that no corps whose services had been accepted as separate corps should be forced to join an administrative battalion. The object of the letter for which his noble Friend moved, and which he had no objection to produce, was to secure for such corps their share of the money voted by Parliament as a capitation grant, to enable them to avail themselves of the services of an adjutant, and also to furnish the Government with the necessary guarantee of the practical efficiency of their members. Accompanying the letter was a scheme, by which it appeared to the War Office that the object in view might best be carried into effect; and it was specially requested that lord-lieutenants should give their opinions with respect to the scheme, they being at the same time informed that the best consideration would be given to any alterations in it which they might deem advisable. It was, he might add, very desirable that local corps should attach themselves as far as possible to administrative battalions, but in cases in which real and substantial local difficulties stood in the way it was expedient that lord lieutenants, in the exercise of their authority, should propose such arrangements as the various corps might deem acceptable.

Motion agreed to.

(Parl. Paper No. 256.)

House adjourned at a quarter before Eight o'clock, till To-morrow, Twelve o'clock.