§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the observations of Mr. Justice Gibson on the insurance of the life of an infant whose parents, Eliza and Andrew Bell, were charged at the County Antrim Summer Assizes last 1124 week with having wilfully neglected their child, who died in the Belfast Union Hospital on the 19th instant; whether he is aware that the Judge described the facilities given by the insurance office as a fatal inducement to parents to carry the insurance to such offices; and whether, considering the recent disclosures at the Coroner's Court, Belfast, as to the temptation and danger of insuring the lives of children, he will make inquiry into the matter?
MR. J. MORLEYThe facts are as stated by my hon. Friend. Legislation would be necessary, however, to check the evils to which the learned Judge referred, and in whose observations I quite concur; but, as my hon. Friend is aware, there is no possibility of taking action in this direction just at present.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of introducing a Bill on this important subject early next Session?
MR. J. MORLEYThis is a Bill which would affect England as well as Ireland—it would affect the United Kingdom in fact—and I am not sure it would fall within my province to introduce it. It certainly is a matter which ought to be considered.
§ MR. M'CARTANCannot the right hon. Gentleman induce the Government to afford facilities for passing the Bill now before the House? We are agreed on that.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTONNo, we are are not agreed.
§ [The question was not answered.]