HC Deb 19 March 1851 vol 115 cc214-5

Order for Committee read.

Clause 1,

MR. W. MILES

said, that an imprisonment of three years was a very severe one. Two years was the usual term up to which a discretion was allowed, and he did not see why they should make an exception in the present instance. He was aware the Bill had been brought in in consequence of the Sloanes' case, but they were not likely to have another case of such gravity.

MR. BAINES

said, the wording was any term "not exceeding" three years; and he thought the penalty not too severe, as some of the offences to he provided against by the Bill were little inferior to murder.

Clause agreed to, as were also the remaining clauses.

CAPTAIN HARRIS

wished to know whether the Bill would extend to young persons apprenticed or hired out to persons out of the union?

MR. BAINES

proposed to extend the operation of the Bill to a circle of five miles beyond the union. In cases where young persons were hired out to a distant part, such as their being taken from a union in Sunderland to become domestic servants in Cornwall, for instance, it would be impossible to require the guardians to incur the expense of visiting the young persons periodically. The law already, to some extent, met the case of apprentices beyond the union; but with regard to servants, he thought it impracticable to trace them out and visit them at a distance.

CAPTAIN HARRIS

thought some means ought to be devised to afford the protection of the Bill to the cases which the right hon. Gentleman said it was impracticable to meet.

MR. BAINES

said, he was anxious to render the measure as effective as possible, and, therefore, he should reconsider the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

House resumed.

Committee reported; as amended, to be considered on Monday next.

The House adjourned at two minutes before Six o'clock.