CONSIDERATION OF THE QUEEN'S MESSAGE. (Hansard, 14 April 1885)

§ EARL GRANVILLE

In rising to make the Motion which stands in my name, I feel that your Lordships will consider, after what took place in "another place" last night, it will not be desirable on this occasion for me to make a statement as to the policy of Her Majesty's Government. At the same time, I may say that steps have been taken which will necessitate some action on the part of the House of Commons, but until that step be taken it will not be right to make any statement in this House; but I will take care when the proper time arrives that a similar declaration shall be made to your Lordships. I believe I should be safe upon this occasion in asking your Lordships to express approval of the Proclamation of Her Majesty. But we think it better to follow the precedent of the late Government, and merely to ask your 1601 Lordships to thank Her Majesty for the information which has been given to us. It will be satisfactory to your Lordships to know that the measure taken under this Proclamation will entirely meet all the requirements which have been made by the Indian Government. Moved "That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, thanking Her Majesty for informing this House that the present state of public affairs and the extent of the demands on the military forces of Her Majesty for the protection of the interests of the Empire having constituted, in the opinion of Her Majesty, a case of great emergency within the meaning of the Acts of Parliament in that behalf, Her Majesty deems it proper to provide additional means for Her Military service, and that, therefore, in pursuance of those Acts, Her Majesty has thought it right to communicate to the House of Lords that Her Majesty is about to cause Her Reserve Force and Her Militia Reserve Force, or such part thereof as Her Majesty shall from time to time think necessary, to be called out for permanent service."—(The Earl Granville.)

§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, obviously I think there can be no doubt of your unanimous response to the proposal of the noble Earl; and, indeed, if he had asked us to assent to the issuing of the Proclamation our response would, I think, have been given with equal heartiness. As to the noble Earl's observations with which he prefaced his Motion, I will say that I believe that not only the two Houses of Parliament, but the public generally, look with the greatest anxiety for a clear statement of the policy which Her Majesty's Government will think it their duty to pursue. We do not desire to press for it in a manner which will interfere with the interests of the Public Service, or with the very grave decision which it is incumbent upon the Government at this moment to form. Subject to that observation, I will only add that I hope the information which the noble Earl foreshadows may come as early as possible.