§ SIR GEORGE GREY moved for leave to introduce a Bill "for transferring the powers of the General Board of Health to a Committee of the Privy Council." The right hon. Baronet in doing so took occasion to observe that the Board had originally been created in the year 1848; its members having then consisted of the First Commissioner of Woods and Forests, and two other gentlemen appointed by the Crown, one of whom was in the receipt of a salary. The original Board had, however, been dissolved in the year 1854, and a new Board had been constituted, having at its head a president, who received a salary of £2,000 per annum, he being the only paid member of the Board. By virtue of the Act, under which the department had been instituted, its powers were to continue until the 29th day of July next, and until the end of the next ensuing Session of Parliament. Paying regard, however, to the ordinary duties, which the Board had to perform, the Government had come to the conclusion, instead of proposing a renewal of the existing Board, to dispense with it as a separate department, and that such portion of its present duties, as it was desirable should continue to be discharged, should be transferred to the Council Office to be performed by the Lord President, with the aid of a Committee of the Council. If the House should agree to that proposal an immediate re- 197 duction of £3,000 or £4,000 per annum in the expenses of the department would be the result, while a still greater reduction might after some experience of the working of the new system be effected.
§ Leave given.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Sir GEORGE GREY and Mr. MASSEY "for transferring the powers of the General Board of Health to a Committee of the Privy Council."
§ Bill presented, and read 1°.