§ Order for Second Reading read.
SIR HERVEY BRUCEsaid, that in consequence of the lateness of the hour (five minutes to one o'clock) he proposed to postpone the second reading till a future day.
§ MR. DUNLOPsaid, that hon. Members 1500 who opposed the Bill had on many nights seen kept in the House expecting that it would come on, and it would be better to proceed with it at once.
§ MR. COLLINSsaid, he hoped that the hon. Baronet would withdraw the Bill, as its provisions were most objectionable. They would enable every Irishman who had been in England six months to live here for ever at the expense of the Union.
SIR HERVEY BRUCEsaid, the necessity for the Bill arose from the large number of Irish paupers who were annually removed from Great Britain to Ireland. In one year their number, excluding those sent from Scotland, from which country no Returns had been received, amounted to 3,750. Since the passing of the Poor Removal Bill, two years ago, 700 persons had been returned to Ireland. In the workhouses of Ireland there were now 600 persons who, if the English law existed there, would be returned to this country. Liverpool sent back to Ireland 1,170 destitute people; Manchester, 404; Lancashire, 2,100; London in two years, 700. He had framed the measure on the model of the Bill adopted twenty-five years ago. He appealed, not to the charity or the mercy, but to the justice of the House to give the Bill a second reading.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."
§ MR. DUNLOPsaid, he would move as an Amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months.
§ MR. AYRTONsaid, he would second the Amendment.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."
§ Question put, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ The House divided:—Ayes 9; Noes 58: Majority 49.
§ Words added.
§ Main Question, as amended, put, and agreed to.
§ Bill put of for six months.