§ MR. BROADHURSTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If the Government should take Tuesday, and having regard to the impossibility of bringing the subject before the House this Session, and to its extreme urgency, he will advise Her Majesty to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the dwelling accommodation of the labouring classes, and the evils consequent on overcrowding in the Metropolis and other large towns, with a view to legislate on the subject?
MR. GLADSTONESir, in answer-to this Question, what I believe is—and I am informed by the most competent authorities—that the facts in this case are sufficiently known, and that there would be no advantage, therefore, in appointing a Commission, unless we had some plan ready formed which could be worked out through that Commission. What we believe is that the subject is very ripe for discussion with a view to legislation, and that that discussion and legislation—and my hon. Friend is agreed, I think, as to the legislation—can hardly take place in the present Session of Parliament. Her Majesty's Government, therefore, are 53 not inclined to propose to issue a Commission under present circumstances.
§ MR. BROADHURSTasked whether he was to understand that the Government held out any hope that they would take up the subject next Session?
SIR E. ASSHETON CROSSI wish to ask whether Her Majesty's Government have any objection to issue a small Commission, which would report to the Government as to the state of parts of the Metropolis, which really ought to be subject to the alterations required by the Artizans' Dwellings Act?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTsaid, he should be happy to consider this suggestion, if he understood that these were matters into which the Committee presided over by the right hon. Gentleman had not already sufficiently inquired.