HC Deb 03 June 1842 vol 63 c1154
Mr. Cobden

wished to ask hon. the Secretary for the Home Department had received any intelligence of the great increase of distress in the manufacturing districts, and whether a commissioner had been sent down to inquire into the circumstances; and also whether a sum of money had been sent down in aid of the rates?

Sir J. Graham

replied, that the Government had received information of the very severe distress existing at this moment amongst the hand-loom weavers of Burnsley and its neighbourhood, and that upon the whole the reports which existed were not exaggerated. Under these circumstances, her Majesty's Ministers thought it advisable to direct the Poor-law commissioners to send down an assistant commissioner to investigate the matter. He had further to state to the hon. Gentleman that no money had been sent down by the Government in aid of the poor-rates. A sum of money had, however, been sent down, being part of the charitable subscription for the relief of the distressed manufacturers.