Commons Sitting of 16 July 1845

MINUTES.
BILLS. Public.—Reported.—Turnpike Acts Continuance; Loan Societies; Highway Rates; Militia Ballots Suspension; Unlawful Oaths (Ireland); Land Revenue Act Amendment.
PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Mr. T. Duncombe, from Henry Walker, of 29 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, against Lunatics Bill.
The House assembled at twelve o'clock.

LUNATICS.
On the Motion that the Speaker leave the Chair to go into Committee on the Lunatics Bill,
Mr. T. Duncombeprotested against proceeding with the consideration of the Bill in the absence of the right hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department. The hon. Member was proceeding, when the right hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department took his seat; and the hon. Member said he would not further oppose the Motion.
House in Committee.
On Clause 5, which provides for the retiring pensions of the Commissioners,
Mr. Warburtonmoved to omit all the words after "that," for the purpose of inserting the following words:—
"Any superannuation allowance to be granted to any paid Commissioner appointed, or to be appointed, under this Act, shall be granted only as a Compensation for services performed under this Act, and shall be subject to the provisions of an Act passed in the fourth and fifth years of His late Majesty William the Fourth, in respect of such officers and clerks as might enter the public service after the 4th day of August, 1829."
Mr. S. Crawfordobjected to any superannuation allowance. He concurred with the hon. Member for Finsbury in recommending the postponement of the Bill.
Amendment agreed to.
On the Motion that the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill,
Mr. T. Duncombeobjected altogether to granting retiring pensions to the Commissioners, and should take the sense of the House on the point. Why should these Commissioners be placed in a better situation than the Poor Law Commissioners and the Inspectors of prisons? Their duties were performed principally for the benefit of the rich, who ought to provide for their maintenance. He recommended that the duration of the Commission should be limited for the present to three years. He again urged on the Government the policy of postponing the Bill till next Session, when they would be enabled to bring in a satisfactory measure, after due deliberation, and a careful consideration of suggested amendments. As, however, Government seemed resolved to force the Bill through Parliament, in despite of opposition, and with an attendance of Members absurdly inadequate to the consideration of such a question, he should feel it his duty to offer every clause his most strenuous opposition.
Sir J. Grahamreferred to the conduct of those having charge of the Bill, with reference to the Amendment proposed by the hon. Member for Kendal, in proof of the readiness with which they were willing to acquiesce in any reasonable suggestion. It would be better to discuss the objections to the various clauses in their regular order. He should, however, deceive the hon. Member, if he held out any hope that he could consent to limit the duration of the Commission.
Mr. Wakleymoved "That no person should be hereafter appointed to the Commission who was above the age of forty-five years."
Amendment negatived.
The Committee divided on the Motion, that the clause stand part of the Bill:—Ayes 43; Noes 3: Majority 40.
Clauses up to Clause 9 inclusive were agreed to, and schedules were agreed to. The House rsumed. Report to be received.

VALUATION (IRELAND) BILL.
Sir T. Fremantlemoved "That the Houses and resolve itself into Committee on this houl]"
Sir R. Fergusonobjected to proceeding with the Bill at that hour.
An hon. Member An hon. Member moved that the House be counted, and twenty-three Members only being present, the House adjourned at half-past four.