§ MR. CAWLEYsaid, he wished to ask the President of the Poor Law Board, Whether he will bring in the proposed Bill for the Rating of Public Buildings 491 on an early day, so that parties interested may have ample time for considering it previously to the Second Reading?
§ MR. BRODRICKsaid, he also wished to ask the President of the Poor Law Board, Whether it is his intention, during the present Session, to bring in any measure for the repression of Vagrancy?
§ MR. GOSCHENWith regard, Sir, to the question respecting a proposed Bill for the rating of public buildings I must state that no Bill was ever contemplated which was to deal solely with that subject, which was intended to form part of a measure dealing generally with all the other exemptions and various matters connected with the valuation of rateable property. It would not, I think, be desirable to introduce a Bill relating to any one of these subjects, unless it dealt at the same time with them all. At this advanced period of the Session it is hopeless to expect to be able to pass a Bill which would affect a great many personal interests and give rise to much discussion. It is not, therefore, in our power to proceed with the Bill this year. With regard to the subject of vagrancy, I do not know that it will be possible to pass any measure dealing with the whole subject; but I hope to be able to propose a Bill containing four or five clauses which will deal to a certain extent with the subject, and be capable of being so devised as to meet the evil at present existing. I hope I shall be able during the present Session to introduce a Bill of that kind.