§ MR. WODEHOUSEsaid, he had given notice on Tuesday, that he would put a question to the right hon. Baronet the First Lord of the Treasury, which, however, he believed ought to be put to the right hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The question was, whether it were the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce the Bill for an alteration in the Law of Settlement at such a period of the Session, and at such a stage of the discussion now pending, as to enable Parliament to form a judgment as to the advantages or disadvantages of the proposed change in a matter of such immense importance to millions of the lowest and poorest of Her Majesty's subjects, under all the various liabilities in which the industry of the three kingdoms was at present placed?
§ SIR J. GRAHAMI have to state that the Bill to which my hon. Friend refers is already prepared and drawn, and that I shall be ready at an early period to lay it on the Table of this House. I beg to add, however, that it is not my intention to press that measure forward, or bring on a 1167 general discussion upon it, until the Bill relative to the proposed relaxation or remission of all obstructions on the importation of articles of food into this country shall have passed this House.
MR. TOLLEMACHEwished to know whether in the Bill referred to it was intended to provide, that in the case of a man who could prove five years' industrial residence, his wife and family were to be allowed to follow the same settlement?
§ SIR J. GRAHAMWith all respect for the hon. Member I beg to decline entering into any particulars respecting the provisions of the Bill until it shall have been laid on the Table of the House.