The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-07 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OP LORDS—Last Evening.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at the usual hour.
THE DIOCESE OF RIPON.
The Bishop of RIPON moved for an amended return of
the population of his diocese, to correct some mistakes that
appeared in that already made in comparison with that of
York.—Ordered.
THE VOLUNTEERS.

Lord LLANOVER asked the Under-Secretary of State
for War whether it was the intention of the Government to
propose any measure during the present session for the
purpose of carrying out the recommendations contained in
the report of the Volunteers Commission appointed to in-
quire into the state of the volunteer force of the country ?
In the event of its being the intention of Government,
it was desirable that the same should be done with as
little delay as possible.
Earl DE GREY said it was the intention of the Go-
vernment to propose to Parliament a bill substantially car-
rying out the recommendations suggested by the
Volunteer Commission. Of course the 'requisite sum
for that purpose would have to be included in the
estimates, and a bill would have to be introduced into Par-
liament. It was not necessary at that moment he should enter
into further detail, especially as the subject would come
before them when the estimates were under discussion.
He thought the announcement he had already made would
be quite sufficient to set at rest all doubt on the point. '
Lord HARDINGE thought great caution would have to
be exercised in dealing with the subject. He thought about
nine days in the year for training purposes would be suffi-
cient. He also took that opportunity of stating that he
thought twenty-eight days in the year for training would
be quite sufficient for the militia.
Lord TRURO said the report of the Royal Commission
stated that till condition of the volunteers was highly satis-
factory, and he should like to know how it was that a
sum of money was afterwards proposed. The expenses of
the volunteers had hitherto been met by voluntary sub-
scriptions by the members of the different corps, and if
that was sufficient he could not account for the re-
commendation of the royal commissioners. The noble
lord proceeded to comment upon other portions of the report
of the commissioners, more especially that which related
to the Volunteer Artillery. The suggestion that the Volun-
teers should be more allied with the regular army by join-
ing in field-diys, he disapproved of, andl he did not think
the Volunteer movement would be at all advanced by such
a circumstance, because he did not believe, as yet, the
volunteers had arrived at the steadiness which was re-
quired for such a purpose. Then, with respect to the
cadet corps, the report recommended that these
most interesting children should take part in the
company and division drills. No doubt it would be an ex-
tremely interesting sight to see these little fellows wheeling
and forming squares, yet he thought more important matter
might have occupied the thoughts of the commissioners.
He thought the result of the recommendation of the re-
port would be that the honorary members in volunteer corps
would rapidly fall away, and the donations to the different
corps altogether disappear.
After a few words from Lord VYVIAN,
Earl DE GREY said those corps which intended to
apply for a portion of the Government grant for clothing
expenses must conform to the rules laid down in the
report.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OP COMMONS—Last Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr, BERESFORD took the oaths and his seat for the
county of Carlow.