§ Mr. T. Duncombehad asked the right hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department, on the 21st of February, at what time it might be expected that the Poor-law Bill would be introduced into the House; and he had received an answer that the measure would be brought in immediately after Easter. That measure had not as yet been brought under the consideration of the House. In two months the Poor-law commission would expire: if this bill were postponed until after Whitsuntide, there would only be a month or six weeks during which it could be considered by the House and by the country. The measure would, of course, make very considerable alterations in the law, and it was right that the country should have time to consider its provisions. He hoped, therefore, that as no long discussion was likely to be required upon the introduction of the bill, the right hon. Baronet would take steps to secure the early attention of Parliament to this important subject.
§ Sir James Grahamsaid, that the hon. Member had misunderstood a portion of the answer which he had given on a former occasion, in reference to his inquiry. He had certainly stated, that it was not his intention to bring the subject before the House, until after Easter, but he did not recollect that he had accompanied that statement by any intimation involving an immediate necessity for the introduction 416 of that measure. He had, however, promised to give the hon. Member an intimation when the subject would be brought forward. He had hoped to be able to bring the question before the House previously to the Whitsuntide holidays; but, unless he received the sanction of the House to take the matter out of its turn, he feared he should not be able to do so. To-morrow the orders of the day had precedence of notices of motion, and, unless this arrangement was altered, he should not be able to move the introduction of the bill during this week. Could a new course of proceeding be arranged, he should be most happy to avail himself of it, and to introduce his bill to-morrow afternoon. If he understood the House to give assent to his suggestion, he would undoubtedly avail himself of the opportunity which presented itself; and, he would, therefore, postpone the motion which stood on the paper for this evening, and would tomorrow move for leave to bring in a bill for the amendment of the Poor-law.
§ Subject at an end.