HC Deb 13 July 1854 vol 135 cc233-4

Order for Third Reading read.

Bill read 3°.

LORD DUDLEY STUART

said, he wished to ask whether the Bill was intended to apply to the whole of the kingdom, including the county of Middlesex, as he was anxious that the inhabitants of that county should have the advantage which would be conferred by the measure? He also desired to know whether there would be any objection to insert words empowering the Home Secretary, if he thought fit, to remove juvenile offenders from one reformatory school to another?

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

, in reply to the last question, said, that it would be no use to insert the words suggested by the noble Lord, as the power of the Home Secretary to remove juvenile offenders was undoubted. The Bill was intended to apply to the whole of the kingdom.

MR. J. O'CONNELL

then proposed a clause, providing that the clergy of all denominations should have access to the juvenile offenders during the week, subject to such regulations as the authorities might make, and should be at liberty to perform divine service on Sundays.

VISCOUNT PALMERSTON

said, he must oppose the clause as unnecessary, and as one which, if insisted upon, would cause the Bill to be lost. It was very similar to a clause which was recently expunged from a Bill in the other House.

Clause brought up, and read 1°.

Motion made, and Question put, "That the said Clause be now read a second time."

The House divided:—Ayes 23; Noes 69: Majority 46.

Bill passed.

The House adjourned at Two o'clock.