PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHHOUSES. (Hansard, 19 June 1846)

§ SIR G. GREY

moved for leave to bring in a Bill for promoting the voluntary establishment in boroughs and parishes in England and Wales of public baths and washhouses. The object of this Bill was intimately connected with the comfort, and indeed, with the health of a large portion of the working population, particularly those residing in large towns. Institutions of this kind had been established by voluntary subscription in one or two places, and the greatest desire was expressed to participate in the advantages they afforded. He might take Liverpool as an instance, where the plan had been brought into operation, and where, although a low rate of charge was made, it became self-supporting. The object of this Bill was to enable parishes, where there was a desire to have an institution of this kind, to obtain the first cost of the building out of the poor rate, and for this purpose to borrow money, which was to be paid off in a certain number of years. The Bill gave a purely permissive power to parishes and town councils, authorizing them to raise money, or borrow it for the purpose, if they wished to carry out the object of the Bill. He hoped the House would allow the Bill to be brought in. The merits of the measure might be discussed afterwards.