Mr. Colvillemoved for returns of the number of convictions for the murder of illegitimate children in England and Wales in each of the years from 1828 to 1841, both inclusive, and similar returns of the number of convictions for concealment of the birth of illegitimate children.
§ Mr. Wakleysaid, it could not be possible to frame a return which would give more incorrect information than that just moved. The number of convictions would not give one-tenth, one-fiftieth of the number of illegitimate children who had been destroyed; and as, of course, the object must be to arrive at a correct knowledge of those numbers, he hoped the motion would be withdrawn and remodelled; for, as at present framed, the result must deceive the House and the country. Nothing was more common than for children to be exposed in roads, and he had sometimes three or four such cases in one day; but in many instances, although it could be seen that murder had been committed, no convictions for murder took place; consequently the return of convictions would not at all indicate the extent of child murder.
Mr. Colvillesaid, his object was to arrive at a knowledge of the effect of that part of the New Poor-law which regarded bastardy; but if the hon. Member thought the object would not be attained by this motion he would withdraw it, provided the hon. Member would give his assistance in framing one more efficient.
§ Motion withdrawn.
§ Adjourned.