§ MR. MARSHsaid, two years ago a Committee of the House, of which he was a Member, sat upon the subject of transportation, and the evidence taken before them went to prove that the number of Convicts that escaped was entirely insignificant, and the Report was drawn up accordingly. But, by late advices, it appeared that by one vessel no less than forty convicts landed at Sydney, and that one of them was furnished with a complete set of housebreaking implements. He wished, under these circumstances, to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Government intends to take any measures to prevent Convicts who have been transported to Western Australia, from going, after the expiration of their sentence, to any of the other Colonies in Australia?
§ MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE, in reply, said, with respect to the story of the Convicts who landed at Sydney, they had no information about it at the Colonial Office. The Home Government had no power to interfere with Convicts whose sentences had expired—they were at liberty to go where they pleased as far as the Imperial Legislature was concerned. But, with regard to the conditional pardon men, there was a recommendation in the Report of the Penal Servitude Commission which, without pledging the Government to any course, would receive their best consideration.
§ SIR JOHN SHELLEYsaid, he wished to know when the Report of the Penal Servitude Commission would be ready?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, it had been laid upon the table last Monday week, and in a few days would be printed, and in the hands of Members.