MOTION FOR A SELECT COMMITTEE. (Hansard, 5 May 1871)

§ MR. CHARLEY

, in moving for a Select Committee— To inquire as to the best means of preventing the destruction of the lives of infants put out to nurse for hire by their parents, explained that, as he understood the Bill, which he had introduced on that question by the desire of the Government, was to be opposed, and that they were willing to grant him an inquiry into its subject-matter, he thought it advisable on his part to accept the alternative thus offered to him. The mortality among children put out to nurse for hire by their parents was frightful, and such as to call for the interference of the Legislature to check it. From inquiries, recently made, it was discovered that, in various parishes, illegitimate children perished at the rate of 46, 53, 87, 93, and 96 per cent respectively, two-thirds of whom were put out. In France generally, the mortality was from 60 to 90 per cent; but in Lyons, where the nurseries were inspected, the rate of mortality was only 20 per cent. Parliament had always interposed on behalf of various classes that were more or less defenceless; but no class could have a stronger claim upon its protection than the poor infants to whom his Motion referred, for their condition was worse than that of the slave before the period of emancipation; because, although the planter might have ill-used his slave, it was not his interest to destroy him; whereas the baby-farmer was strongly tempted by her interest to ill-use the unhappy infant confided to her care with the deliberate intention of causing its death. The hon. Member concluded by moving for the Select Committee, of which he had given Notice.

MR. BRUCE

said, it might perhaps mitigate the disappointment naturally felt by the hon. Member, at being unable to advance his Bill, to learn that the Government, after seriously considering 321 that subject, and preparing several sketches of a measure for dealing with it, had not been able to frame such a measure upon it, as they could venture with any confidence to offer to the House as furnishing a satisfactory solution of the question. The subject was therefore one which very fairly demanded inquiry; because, although the terrible punishment which lately overtook one unhappy woman, engaged in that nefarious trade in the lives of infants, might tend for a time to check the evil, yet the traffic might speedily revive; and, moreover, the mortality among illegitimate children put out to nurse was very great, even supposing that no violence or deliberate cruelty was exercised to produce it. An Inquiry, therefore, into the whole subject might advantageously be instituted; and he was glad to find that experienced Members of the House were willing to serve on the Committee, to the appointment of which he had much pleasure in assenting on the part of the Government.