§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 3a."—(The Earl of Morley.)
THE EARL OF LONGFORDcalled attention to the large unprofitable expenditure upon Army Services, estimated by a high authority at £500,000 a-year, caused in great measure by the acceptance of unsatisfactory recruits, and by fraudulent enlistments. The Establishment of the Army was so low for its various duties, that, as far as possible, every man voted by Parliament should be an effective soldier.
THE EARL OF MORLEYsaid, he was at a loss to know the reasons for the noble Earl's remarks. Of late years, great care had been taken in the selection of recruits. The age had been raised, and the medical examinations had been more stringent. Moreover, the number of men who offered themselves as recruits last year was higher, and the proportion of those who were rejected was higher, than in any preceding year.
§ Motion agreed to; Bill read 3a accordingly, and passed.
§ House adjourned at Eight o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ton o'clock.