§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLmoved, that the Lords' Amendments on this Bill be printed. The noble Lord said, that in moving those amendments be taken into consideration on Monday, he would state the course which the Government intended to pursue with reference to two which were regarded as of the most important character. The first related to a clause inserted in that House, on the decision of a majority, upon the Motion of the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. Borthwick), which was at variance with the feelings of Her Majesty's Government. The other related to another clause inserted immediately after- wards without a division, authorizing the admission of the ratepayers to boards of guardians. As to the first of these clauses, his opinion was adverse to its introduction; but after the decision of the House he could not consider it was a question relating merely to the merits of the provision. The House having decided that that provision should be introduced, and considering the House was at that time more numerously attended than it was likely to be now, he was disposed to support its original decision, and therefore he should move that the clause which had been expunged by the Lords should be again inserted. As to the other clause which had been expunged by the Lords, he should propose to agree to their amendment.
§ MR. WAKLEYrejoiced to hear the announcement that the husband and wife, when in the workhouse, were not to be separated; but he regretted to hear the noble Lord say he agreed with the Lords in opposing the admission of ratepayers to the meetings of boards of guardians, In his (Mr. Wakley's) opinion, that was the most important of the two clauses, because boards of guardians, by arrangement, might altogether nullify the great advantages of their trust. It was of the utmost importance that ratepayers should have an opportunity of being present at these meetings, and of knowing upon what principles the guardians acted in the administration of relief. He trusted the noble Lord would reconsider his decision with respect to this clause.
§ Subject at an end.