§ On the Order of the Day for the committee on the Prison Discipline Bill,
§ Sir J. Grahamsaid, that the late period of the Session, and the little chance of getting this measure through Parliament, reluctantly compelled him to announce that he intended to withdraw it. At the same time, as all his past experience had confirmed his views with respect to the 848 management of houses of correction, he might announce that he should certainly re-introduce the measure next session.
§ Mr. T. Duncombe, expressed his regret at hearing the right hon. Baronet's determination, and the more especially after his declaration that his views respecting the measure were confirmed by his experience. He must say that he did not think he had been quite fairly treated on this subject. He had withdrawn his motion respecting Knutsford goal on the assurance that this bill should be brought forward, and that they would have an opportunity of discussing the whole question of goal management in connexion with it. They were in no worse condition with respect to this measure than they were with respect to the Chelsea Pensioners' Bill, and yet they pressed the coercive and abandoned this—the remedial measure. Why was this? Because, forsooth, some five or six magistrates—they were only five or six—objected to this measure as an interference with their "prerogative." If the Government attended to their objections regarding this bill, why not attend to his regarding the other? He repeated that he was not fairly treated; and he should certainly raise his voice still louder upon this subject had he not some confidence in the right hon. Baronet, who with respect to prisons had pursued a course which was highly honourable to his public character, and which afforded him (Mr. T. Duncombe) some hope that the objects of this bill would yet be carried out, and consequently some consolation for its present abandonment.
§ Order of the Day discharged.
§ House adjourned at a quarter to two o'Clock.