§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he had given notice of his intention to move for a Select Committee to inquire into the operation and administration of the laws for the relief of the poor in Great Britain and Ireland. The late President of the Poor Law Board had also moved for a Committee to inquire into the operation of certain Acts for the relief of the poor. The Committee was appointed, but it was, in his opinion, impossible to proceed with that inquiry satisfactorily under the terms of the reference. When Parliament was dissolved the labours of that Committee came to an end. As the present President of the Poor Law Board was only appointed two days ago, he should not be doing him justice in proceeding with the present Motion. That right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Villiers) was one of the most Liberal Members of the House of Commons, and ranked with those who represented the enlarged opinions ascribed to hon. Gentlemen who sat below the gangway, and who were called "advanced Liberals." He trusted therefore that the right hon. Gentleman would be of opinion that the Committee ought to address itself to the whole subject of the Poor Laws, and to the manner in which the Poor Laws were administered. If it were proposed 656 that a Committee should be re appointed during the present Session to conduct so limited an inquiry he should move his present Resolution as an amendment. If the Committee were postponed until next Session he should bring forward his Motion then. For the present he should withdraw his notice.