§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading, read.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE, in moving, "That the Bill be now read the second time," said, that in framing it the War Department had adhered as closely as possible to the model of the Bill of last year. The departures from that model were very few, and in no way affected the principle, which was the same in both Bills, though the experience of last year enabled them to make important improvements in the arrangements for this. The Department had been in communication with various noble Lords, Members of the House of Commons, and other gentlemen of position and influence in the localities destined as the seat of warfare, and on the part of the Government he 107 had to tender them his cordial thanks for their very friendly criticism and advice. Hisnoble Friend (Lord Portman) was one to whom special gratitude was due.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly; and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday next.