HC Deb 22 August 1843 vol 71 cc1004-5
Sir J. Graham

wished to say a few words respecting two measures, on the subject of which he had made a promise to the House. With respect to the first, which was one to facilitate the subdivision of parishes in Scotland, he meant to lay that measure on the Table on Thursday next. The second, which was one having for its object the regulation of the law of settlement, he did not think it expedient to introduce during the present Session. Subsequently to the promise he had made to the House relative to that measure, a very important report had been laid on the Table by the Poor-law commissioners, in which the whole subject was fully dis- cussed, and which would be well worthy of the attention of hon. Members during the recess. That report contained not only the skeleton of a bill, but an ample account of the annual local taxes, to the amount of eleven millions, levied on the rate-payers of this country. He was anxious that the Government should not be pledged to any specific measure until that valuable report should have been fully considered, and therefore he did not mean to introduce any measure on the subject of the law of settlement until next Session.

Mr. H. Hinde

hoped that Government did not pledge itself to adopt all the suggestions contained in the report of the commissioners.

Sir J. Graham

said, that what he had said was, that Government meant to introduce a bill relative to the law of settlement, and in the meantime he recommended the general perusal of the commissioners' report.

The House adjourned at half past six o'clock.