§ SIR JAMES GRAHAMsaid, that notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, he was anxious that the House should go into Committee of Supply, for the purpose of taking a Vote of 20,000l. for the expenses of prisoners of war. At the present moment he had no means afforded him by the House to meet this expenditure; and there was now an opportunity of purchasing a prison in Sussex at a moderate price, which was particularly well adapted for the reception of prisoners of war. At the close of last war the cost of prisoners was no less than 1,000,000l. annually, and at that time we had three great prisons in existence, all of which had since the war been either pulled down or transferred to other purposes, so that at this moment there was no public building applicable to this particular use. He only asked for the sum of 20,000l., of which 5,000l. was intended to be applied to the purchase of the gaol at Lewes; and as the public service would be greatly expedited by this arrangement, he did not anticipate there would be any objection to go into Committee for the purpose of taking the Vote.
§ ADMIRAL WALCOTTsaid, he would suggest that some of Her Majesty's vessels now in ordinary should be applied to the reception of prisoners of war. Expense would be saved in that way.
§ SIR JAMES GRAHAMsaid, some ships had been fitted up for the purpose at Sheerness, He hoped before the end of the year to have prisoners enough to fill both.
House in Committee.
Resolved—
That a sum, net exceeding 20,000l., be granted to Her Majesty, to provide for the Expenses on account of Prisoners of War, which will come in course of payment daring the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1855" House resumed,
§ Order for Committee read.
§ House in Committee.
§ SIR JAMES EASTmoved the addition of a clause to the effect that any person who shall, in any part of the United Kingdom, use any dog for the purpose of drawing or helping to draw any cart, carriage, truck, or barrow, shall forfeit and pay al penalty not exceeding 40s. for the first offence, and not exceeding 5l. for the second and every subsequent offence.
Clause (And whereas, by an Act passed in the second and third years of Her present Majesty, it was enacted, under a penalty, that dogs should not be used for the purposes of draught within the Metropolitan Police district, and it is desirable that such enactment should be extended to all parts of the United Kingdom, Be it Enacted, That any person who shall, in any part of the United Kingdom, use any dog for the purpose of drawing or helping to draw any cart, carriage, truck, or barrow, shall forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding forty shillings for the first offence, and not exceeding five pounds for the second and every subsequent offence, such penalties to be recovered in like manner as is provided for the recovery of penalties under the Act of the twelfth and thirteenth years of Her said Majesty: Provided always, That if the conviction shall take place before two justices, it shall be lawful for such justices, if they shall think fit, instead of imposing a pecuniary penalty, forthwith to commit any such offender to the House of Correction, there to be imprisoned, with or without hard labour, for any time not exceeding three calendar months), brought up, and read the first time.
§ MR. CRAUFURDsaid, he objected to the clause.
Motion made, and Question put, "That the said Clause be now read a Second Time," The Committee divided:-Ayes 47; Noes 13: Majority 34.
§ MR. FREWENsaid, the clause had been four times rejected in another place; accidents of a grave nature had occurred in consequence; and he hoped, therefore, that if it was rejected again, those who rejected it would be the sufferers.
Clause added to the Bill.
The House resumed; Bill reported, as amended.
Notice taken, that forty Members were not present; House counted, and forty 640 Members not being present, the House was adjourned at half after One o'clock till Monday next.