§ MR. WISEbegged to ask the President of the Poor Law Board whether there was any intention of altering the law of settlement, or of proposing any change in the mode of charging the rates for the relief of the poor? also, whether there was any information in the Poor Law Office as to the quantity of land which had been hired or purchased by Boards of Guardians for the purpose of cultivation by the inmates of union workhouses? and whether any statements had been transmitted to the Poor Law Board showing the result of the employment of the inmates of workhouses on the land so hired and purchased? and, if any such information and statements had been given, or existed, whether the President of the Poor Law Board would place a copy of the same on the table of the House? The object of the second question was to ascertain whether the Poor Law Board approved of the system of cultivating land by means of ablebodied paupers?
§ SIR JOHN TROLLOPEsaid, that during the time he had held office he had given his best attention and consideration to the very important subject which the hon. Gentleman had brought before the House. So much consideration and care were required in the preparation of any measure on the subject, that he was not in a condition at present to lay a Bill before Parliament; but, feeling that it was a subject which could not be decided on without the concurrence of Her Majesty's Government at large, he had laid before them all the papers he had thereupon at the Poor Law Board, and for some time past they had been giving their anxious attention to the matter. In reply to the second question, he begged to say that the Poor Law Board could furnish the hon. Gentleman? with the information he desired in regard to the quantity of land either purchased or hired by hoards of guardians for cultivation; but the boards of guardians were hot in the habit of furnishing detailed reports, either of a financial nature or with respect to moral effects. The Poor Law Board were acquainted with these only as 1528 they came to their knowledge occasionally through the reports of the poor-law inspectors; but, if the hon. Gentleman wished a return only of the quantity of land so employed, the Poor Law Board were in a condition to furnish the information on his moving for such a return.