HC Deb 06 June 1888 vol 326 cc1311-2

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Cause 2 (29 & 30 Viet. c. 117, c. 14. Youthful offenders may be sent to certified reformatory schools without the imposition of a term of imprisonment).

On the Motion of Mr. DUGDALE, the following Amendment made:—In page 1, line 13, leave out the second "in."

MR. DUGDALE (Warwickshire, Nuneaton)

said, he proposed to move a further Amendment, to enable Justices of the Peace, where a child had been sent for admission to any reformatory, if no vacancy in such reformatory was found within seven days, to determine within 14 days where the convicted child should be sent.

Amendment proposed, In page 1, line 24, to leave out all the words after "any" to end of Clause, and insert the words "Justice of the Peace acting in and for the petty sessional division of the county or in and for the borough where the offence has been committed,"—(Mr. Dugdale,) —instead thereof.

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. STUART-WORTLEY) (Sheffield, Hallam)

said, the Government were preparing to frame a Bill to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commissioners on Reformatory Schools dealing with this particular point. On the present occasion, therefore, he must reserve very large liberty of action to the Government. He thought, however, his hon. and learned Friend's Amendment was an improvement of the law, and, as far as he was concerned, he was willing to agree to it.

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

said, he thought the Government ought to state definitely what was its opinion on a matter of this kind. In order that the House might have an opportunity of ascertaining the opinion of the Government, he would move that Progress be reported.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Henry H. Fowler.)

MR. STUART-WORTLEY

said, if the right hon. Gentleman had paid him the compliment of attending to his statement, he would have understood that the Government did approve the general principle of the Bill. Their consent to the second reading, of course, involved that approval.

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

said, it was waste of time to discuss any Amendment to the Bill, if the Government seriously intended to bring in another measure. Would it not be better to discuss the whole question de novo when the Government Bill was before them?

MR. HENRY H. FOWLER

said, he entirely disclaimed having misunderstood the hon. Gentleman (Mr. Stuart-Wortley). He had understood him perfectly. They were now settling the details of a Bill, and the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department said—"I propose to reserve all consideration of details to the future."

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Friday.