§ MR. JACKSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will present to Parliament the report of the Departmental Committee on the Employment of Convict Labour and Harbours of Refuge?
§ MR. WEBSTERasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Whether, before a decision is come to as to constructing harbours of refuge upon the coast, the selection of sites there for, and the employment of convict labour for the purpose, the Report of the recent Departmental Commission on Convict Labour will be laid upon the Table of the House, and a full opportunity afforded of considering the whole questions involved, with reference to that Report, and to the recommendations in the Report of the Royal Commission of 1858 upon Harbours of Refuge; and, whether, in the view of its being thought desirable to construct harbours of refuge, such localities as may deem themselves interested in the selection of the site or sites will be allowed an opportunity of submitting their claims, and being heard thereon?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, I will answer the Question of the hon. Member for Leeds (Mr. Jackson) at the same time as that of my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen (Mr. Webster). The Government will present to Parliament the Report of the Departmental Committee on Convict Labour, with the omission of some confidential matter. It should be understood that the first question is, how the convict labour shall be employed; and this, as I said the other day, is a matter of some urgency. Upon what particular work it should be employed depends upon many considerations—the importance of the work, its suitability for convict labour, and its cost as modified by local contributions. Any representations which may be made from any locality will receive careful attention.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the Report as to convict labour would refer to Ireland as well as to England?
§ MR. COURTNEYThe inquiry did not apply to Ireland, as at present convict labour is pretty well occupied there.