§ COLONEL WILSON PATTENsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether any official inquiry has been made into the present state of the Operatives of Lancashire and Cheshire employed in the business of Fustian Cutting; and, if so, whether it is his intention to lay the Report of the inquiry upon the table of the House?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, the only official inquiry which had been made was one instituted by the Assistant Commissioner, who was employed by the Com- 1394 mission which was appointed some time ago to inquire into the employment of women and children in manufactures not regulated by law. The Assistant Commissioner had made his inquiry, but no Report had as yet been presented to the Government. He understood, however, that it would be presented in a short time.