HC Deb 18 February 1868 vol 190 cc930-1

Order for Second Reading read.

THE O'CONOR DON

, in moving the second reading of this Bill, said, it was precisely the same as the measure which he had introduced last Session, with the single exception that he had omitted from it the clause which would empower public bodies to make grants for the establishment of industrial schools. He hoped that the hon. Member for Dublin, who was so great an advocate for the assimilation of the laws of England and Ireland, would not object to this Bill, which was the same as the law which had been passed on this subject for England, and which had done so much good.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(The O'Conor Don.)

MR. VANCE

said, he would rather not enter into a discussion upon the Bill on that occasion. There were objections to the Bill which would prevent the House passing it; but he had no objection to its being read a second time, provided the hon. Member would name a late day for the House to go into Committee upon it, to enable those hon. Members who opposed it, to be in attendance.

THE O'CONOR DON

said, be had no objection to adopt the course proposed by the hon. Member, and he would therefore name the 25th of March as the day for the Committee upon the Bill.

THE EARL OF MAYO

said, he did not mean to oppose the Motion for the second reading of the Bill. But he did not think that any great necessity existed for such a measure, and that was, he found, the opinion of many persons who took a very active part in the management of the reformatory movement in Ireland. He had further to state that it was his intention to introduce on an early day a Bill for the amendment of the Reformatory Act, which would have the effect of extending its powers very much in the direction contemplated by the hon. Member for Roscommon; and when the hon. Member saw that Bill, it was possible he might think that the present measure was unnecessary.

LORD CLAUD HAMILTON

repeated the objection he had urged last year that such a measure as this was entirely unnecessary and uncalled for, and would, if carried, impose a heavy burden upon the cesspayers of Ireland. The Bill of the hon. Member had not received the support of any public body or person of note in that country. He should not, however, oppose the second reading of the Bill; but should reserve what he had to say against it until another opportunity was afforded him.

Motion agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for Wednesday, 25th March.