MOTION FOR AN ADDRESS. (Hansard, 16 April 1883)

§ EARL GRANVILLE

My Lords, I rise to move that the Messages from Her Majesty recommending pensions to Lord Alcester and Lord Wolseley for their eminent services be now taken into consideration. Your Lordships will remember that six months ago I had the honour—and I considered it a great honour—to propose to your Lordships Votes of Thanks to Admiral Sir Beau-champ Seymour, and General Sir Garnet Wolseley, and to the gallant sailors and soldiers who were under their orders during the operations in Egypt. I made a statement then of the grounds on which I thought those thanks ought to be given. Your Lordships received that statement in the most cordial manner. That statement was followed by the noble Marquess opposite, who expressed himself in very strong terms of approval, which showed that common ground existed between us in thinking that those distinguished officers were fully entitled to your Lordships' thanks. If I remember aright with regard to Sir Beauchamp Seymour, the noble Marquess stated that I had said nothing in the way of praise which was not due to him for the operations which he had conducted in such a manner as to increase the reputation of England and to assist our Diplomatic Agents. With regard to Sir Garnet Wolseley, the noble Marquess pointed out that he was remarkably active in his marches through the country, and that while he had a complete mastery of details, it, at the same time, in no way interfered with or narrowed the general scope of his views. A unanimous feeling was shown by the Vote which your Lordships gave on that occasion. I have already stated, as your Lordships are aware, that the Queen, acting in concurrence with the feelings that were shown by your Lordships' House and the other House of Parliament on that occasion, has conferred various rewards and honours on the Naval and Military officers under their command. Among others, the Queen has conferred the honour of two Peerages upon Lord Alcester and Lord Wolseley, who have already been welcomed to your Lordships' House. I read to-day, with very great interest, 262 the speech made by a noble and gallant Field Marshal, who himself owes his seat in this House to distinguished military services, and who, referring to the famous wish of Lord Nelson, said that in this, as in former times, men looked forward to a seat in the House of Lords as the highest honour to which they could attain. But the obligation is not entirely on one side. There have been discussions as to whether the existence of the House of Lords in the past, in the present, or in the future, was for good or for evil. But on one thing there is perfect unanimity, and that is, that the House does increase its efficiency and its popularity in the country by the accession of men who have rendered great services to their country. My Lords, I beg to move, in the first place— That an humble Address he presented to Her Majesty, to thank Her Majesty for the gracious Message, and to inform Her Majesty that, taking into consideration the important services rendered by Frederick Beauchamp Paget Lord Alcester, Admiral in Her Majesty's Navy, in the course of the recent expedition to Egypt, and that Her Majesty is desirous to confer some signal mark of Her favour for those distinguished services, this House will cheerfully concur in enabling Her Majesty to make provision for securing to the said Frederick Beau-champ Paget Lord Alcester, and to the next surviving heir male of his body, a pension of Two Thousand pounds per annum.

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, I rise with very great pleasure to second the proposal of the noble Earl, and the more pleasure I feel in supporting it, the more do I feel that many words are not necessary to commend it to the acceptance of your Lordships. It is pleasant to come across a subject on which all are heartily agreed, as we now are, in the duty of paying due honour, and in giving due support to that honour when paid in the case of distinguished servants of the Crown; and I think the noble Earl was very happy when he called attention, not only to the hearty sympathy with which this House especially receives those who have distinguished themselves on the ocean or in the field, but also to the great accession to the influence, power, and dignity of this House, which is conferred by their presence among us when the Sovereign adds them to our Roll. My Lords, the proposal which the noble Earl has made is justified by many precedents. It is in accordance with general usage upon these occasions. There never was a pro- 263 vision better deserved by those who have earned it at the hands of the Government and Parliament, and there never was one which will be more heartily supported by the country.