§ Mr. William Smith O'Briensaid, that he had frequently stated to the House, that he thought it was absolutely necessary to pass a Bill to relieve the poor of Ireland without delay. As a measure, therefore, was not to be brought forward this session by his Majesty's Government, although it was a case of the greatest importance and of pressing emergency, he felt it to be his duty to press forward the Bill he had introduced. He was of opinion that the Government were anxious to postpone bringing forward a measure on the subject for as long a period as they could, and when they brought it forward, they would give as little as they could in the shape of relief. The measure before the House embodied the chief of the recommendations of the Commissioners on Poor-laws for Ireland. [The hon. Member was interrupted with cries of "Move, move!"] As it appeared to be the wish of the House, he would at once propose the second reading of the Bill, and would be prepared to discuss it at a future stage.
§ Bill read a second time.
§ The second reading of Sir Richard Musgrave's Bill on the same subject was postponed.
§ Mr. Poulett Scrope moved the second reading of his Bill on the same subject.
§ Viscount Morpethsaid, that though he permitted the Bills to be read a second time, he begged, on the part of Government, to enter his disclaimer against his being thereby held pledged to sanction either of these Bills. He would add, however, that he was not unwilling to hold himself pledged to some measure for the relief of the poor in Ireland, whenever Government could think itself justified in bringing forward a well-digested measure upon the subject.
§ Bill read a second time.