HC Deb 24 July 1862 vol 168 cc779-80

Order for Third Reading read.

SIR GEORGE GREY moved the third reading of the Bill.

SIR HERVEY BRUCE

said, he rose to move that the order be discharged and the Bill recommitted. In explanation of the Motion he wished to state that he had omitted at the proper time to propose an Amendment which he then sought to introduce, and which had received the approval of several hon. Members. If the Bill were passed as it stood, the poor Irish residing in Lancashire and Cheshire, and thrown out of employment in consequence of the want of cotton, would be sent back to Ireland. It was with the view of preventing such a result that he would move the Amendment of which he had given notice; namely— That no poor person leaving Ireland when under five years of age should be sent back to Ireland from England or Scotland except with his or her parents, and no poor person should be sent back to Ireland who had lived five consecutive years in the same parish in England or Scotland, or ten years in different parishes. If he failed in inducing the House to insert the Amendment, he should move for leave to bring in a Bill enacting such a provision early in the next Session.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Order for the Third Reading of the said Bill be discharged."

SIR GEORGE GREY

said, that the Amendment did not come within the scope and object of the Bill, which related to the power of removal and not to the law of settlement. It might be very proper to consider the proposal at a future time, and the hon. Baronet was quite entitled to bring in a Bill upon the subject in the next Session.

COLONEL DUNNE

said, he should support the Amendment, in the belief that it would remedy a great injustice which the Bill would entail on Irish paupers. He hoped, however, that a further opportunity would be given to consider the matter. The House was in too apathetic a state to consider serious questions, for all that the few Members who remained desired to do was to go home.

MR. MONSELL

said, he thought it would be more prudent not to press the Amendment, since it involved so large a question. At the same time it was the duty of the Government to take this real grievance into their consideration.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

Bill read 3º, and passed.