§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. J. G. TALBOT, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, that its object was to extend the provisions of a very useful measure, by enabling the prison authorities to send youthful criminals to such institutions, in cases in which they possessed no power to do so at present. This Bill was rendered more than ever necessary in consequence of the power given to school boards to establish, build, and maintain certified industrial schools. It was therefore only reasonable that the prison authorities in counties and boroughs should have the same power as that given to the school boards under the Education Act. The Prevention of Crime Act also contained a clause, giving power to send the children of women twice convicted, and having no other parent or proper guardian, to industrial schools, providing they were under 14; and to show the great good that had resulted from the establishment of such institutions, he would quote from the last Report by the Inspectors of Reformatory and Industrial Schools, wherein it was stated that—
All the boys discharged from Cardiff, Surrey, Aberdeen, and Ayr Industrial Schools, and all of 587 the girls discharged from Newtonstewart and Kilmarnock Industrial Schools in 1867–8–9, were doing well to the end of 1870.That was by itself a very encouraging result. Of course there were schools in which the results were less satisfactory; but, on the whole, these schools were doing a most useful work, and he hoped the House would give the additional powers with respect to them sought by the Bill.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. John Talbot.)
MR. BRUCE, in reply, said, he had no objection to the Bill, thinking it quite right that the power of erecting these schools should be extended to places where there were no school boards. It would also tend to remedy the present defect of these schools, that they depended too much on Imperial and too little on local contributions. These institutions were working well, and with the Habitual Criminals Act at the other end of the scale, was having a striking and almost unexpected effect in diminishing the number of inveterate criminals, the most experienced Judges having remarked at the recent assizes, that they had never known so few persons tried for repeated offences. It was satisfactory to find, amid some darker features of the times, that efforts for improving the character of the people and diminishing crime were having a good effect.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Friday next.