HC Deb 25 July 1889 vol 338 cc1372-3

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1.

Amendment moved, Clause 1, line 2, after "England" insert "or Ireland."—(Mr. Tuite.)

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,, St. George's) Tower Hamlets

I would ask the hon. Member not to press the Amendment just now. The Government are willing that this clause should be extended to Ireland; but to effect that properly, more words will be required than those proposed by the hon. Member. If he will withdraw his Amendment now, I will undertake, on Report, to move an Amendment which will meet the hon. Gentleman's desire.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

MR. W. M'LAREN, (Cheshire, Crewe)

As to the wording of Clause 1, I would point out that it is somewhat vague. It seems to me that if one parent deserts a child, the Guardians should not come in and take it away from the other parent. The Government, I think, are prepared to make that clear, either now or on Report stage.

* MR. RITCHIE

I apprehend that the words in the clause sufficiently safeguard the matter. It is clear that if a child has two parents the words do not apply at all. They only apply if the child has but one parent. I will, however, undertake to look into the matter between now and Report, and if there be any ambiguity it will be removed. Our intention is that the clause shall only apply to children who are deserted.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be reported without Amendment to the House."

* MR. RITCHIE

Looking at the fact that the Bill has not been amended, there will be no Report stage, so that I shall not be able to insert the amending words to which I just now referred. I will undertake, however, to see that words extending the measure to Ireland are introduced in another place.

MR. BIGGAR (Cavan, W.)

Could not a short clause be inserted at the end of the Bill providing that the Act shall apply to Ireland? It is very inconvenient to get an hon. Member to withdraw an Amendment under the plea that other words will be substituted, and then to say "he will move the insertion of those words in another place." This process leaves us no control over what is done.

* MR. RITCHIE

When the Bill comes up on Third Reading, I will move that it be re-committed, and will then insert the Amendment. I could not accept the suggestion of the hon. Member for Cavan to insert a short clause at the end of the Bill to extend the Bill to Ireland. There are some powers in the measure which cannot be extended to Ireland.

Bill reported without Amendment; to be read the third time upon Monday next.