§ Mr. Chetwyndrose to move for leave to bring in a bill to consolidate and amend all the acts on the subject of Vagrancy. In framing the bill, if be were permitted to introduce it, he would take for a ground-work his bill of last session. When he informed the House that during the last 300 years, 49 acts on the subject of vagrancy had been passed, of which 27 were now in partial operation, he thought he stated a sufficient ground for his motion. More than two centuries ago, Edward 6th had expressed a wish that the superfluous acts on the subject of vagrancy should be abolished, and that those which contained useful regulations should be combined in one statute. If such a measure was necessary at that period, how much more necessary was it now, when the Statutebook had increased more than twenty-fold? The hon. gentleman then proceeded to state the subordinate objects of his bill, in addition to the principle one; namely, the consolidation of all the various acts on the subject of vagrancy. He divided vagrants into three classes: 1st, the idle and disorderly; 2nd, the vagrant; and 3rd, the incorrigible rogue. Another object of the bill would be to specify the various punishments, and to adapt them to the present state of society. One of the best magistrates of the present day, Mr. Colquhoun, had observed, that in legislating on an offence in a free country, it was necessary to consult the feelings of the people; because, if a magistrate thought the punishment provided for an offence too severe, it was impossible for him to inflict it. He would, therefore, in the measure which he intended to propose, take care that the punishment should not be disproportionate to the offence. The regulation and amendment of the present system of passing vagrants would form another object of the bill. He had been told by some magistrates, that the system of passing vagrants might be al- 1048 together abolished. He had doubts upon that point; but it was a subject for the consideration of a committee. If a committee should be of opinion that the system could not be altogether abolished, still means might be devised for preventing the abuses to which it was liable. He had that day received a letter from a magistrate in Wiltshire, who informed him, that the expense incurred by that and an adjoining county for only one year in passing vagrants amounted to 2,587l. It was highly necessary that some regulation should be adopted with respect to the different lodging-houses for vagrants; which were, in general, nurseries for crime of every description. He was at present of opinion, that such houses should be licensed like public houses by magistrates who should bind the owners in recognizances for their good behaviour. The hon. gentleman then moved, "That leave be given to bring in a bill, for consolidating into one act, and amending the laws relating to Rogues, Vagabonds, Vagrants, and other idle and disorderly Persons."—Leave was given. After which, the hon. gentleman moved for leave to bring in a bill "to facilitate Summary Proceedings before Justices of the Peace."
§ Mr. M. A. Taylorsaid, that the public, whatever might be the result, were highly indebted to the hon. member for the attention which he had bestowed on this subject.
§ Leave was given to bring in the bill.