HC Deb 20 February 1851 vol 114 cc872-3

House in Committee.

MR. ADDERLEY

said, he should have felt it his duty to have impeded the passage of the Bill through Committee, if he had not been informed that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Wiltshire had received a promise from Her Majesty's Ministers that a Select Committee should be appointed on the subject, to whom suggestions might be more properly referred. He (Mr. Adderley) would have endeavoured to introduce provisions for extending the protection of the Act to cabin passengers, feeling that persons of wealth and substance would be thereby induced to emigrate in greater numbers, and, in proportion, there would be a greater number of labourers expecting to obtain employment in our colonies; but, inasmuch as the passage of the Bill was of immediate importance, he would not impede it, simply understanding that such a Select Committee would be appointed, and that Her Majesty's Ministers would afford every facility to obtain information, and to carry through Parliament during the present Session some such measure as he now suggested.

MR. THORNELY

having seen a great deal of the emigration to the United States of America, had learned from his experience that the cabin passengers were perfectly well able to protect themselves, by bringing an action in case of a violation of contract.

MR. C. ANSTEY

considered that the cabin passengers in emigrant ships were chiefly men with large families, who found it convenient to go in that way for the sake of the superior comfort, and were not in circumstances to bring actions which might involve them in a great deal of trouble and expense. They as much required protection as the steerage passengers; and, with the exception of a very little change in diet, there was very little difference between the cabin passenger and his next neighbour, the intermediate passenger—a class unknown till lately, but a very profitable class to the merchants engaged in running emigrant ships.

MR. HAWES

said, he should not object to the appointment of a Select Committee to consider the alterations which had been suggested.

The House resumed.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered To-morrow.

House adjourned at Nine o'clock.