HC Deb 14 July 1854 vol 135 cc297-8

Order for Committee read.

COLONEL DUNNE

said, he would not object to the Bill proceeding, if the Government would consent to retain the Commission for two instead of five years. If not, he should oppose Mr. Speaker's leaving the Chair.

SIR JOHN YOUNG

said, he knew the object of the hon. and gallant Member to be to have an inquiry into this Commission. As far as the Commission was concerned, however, he thought it might be as well continued for five as for two years, and the hon. and gallant Member should recollect that the salaries of the Commissioners were subject to the annual Vote of Parliament.

MR. MACARTNEY

said, he should support the proposal of the hon. and gallant Member for Portarlington (Colonel Dunne). Without a full inquiry he could not consent to the renewal of the Commission for five years.

Motion made, and Question put, "That Mr. Speaker do now leave the Chair."

The House divided:—Ayes 82; Noes 45: Majority 37.

House in Committee.

COLONEL DUNNE

said, he should move that the Chairman should report progress.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, he would suggest that the hon. and gallant Colonel should then proceed with any statement with reference to the Bill which he desired to make.

COLONEL DUNNE

said, that if he were to do that, the majority at present in the House would carry the Bill in its present form, as it had carried many other measures injurious to his (Colonel Dunne's) country. He believed the Poor Law had inflicted more injury on Ireland than almost any other, except one or two. He did not object to a Poor Law, but he objected to the great and unnecessary expense of the present system, and to other parts of that system which were unjust, and he wished for a thorough inquiry. He thought it not unreasonable to ask that the Bill should be limited to two years, within which time the inquiry he was anxious for might take place. He regretted there were not more Irish Members present, and inasmuch as it was too late to discuss the matter now, he must persist in his Motion to report progress.

MR. I. BUTT

said, he also protested against proceeding with the consideration of the Bill at that late hour (a quarter past one o'clock).

LORD NAAS

should support his hon. and gallant Friend in his Motion if any question in connection with the Bill before them should arise which required discussion. At the same time, he must observe that he was in favour of continuing the powers of the present Poor Law Commission for five years, as proposed by the Bill.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the Chairman do report progress and ask leave to sit again."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 28: Noes 90: Majority 62.

The Bill then passed through Committee.

House resumed; Bill reported without amendment.

The House adjourned at a quarter after Two o'clock till Monday next.