Lords Sitting of 27 May 1805

PANCRAS POOR BILL.
On the second reading of the Pancras Poor bill,
The Earl of Suffolk observed, that, as it was confidently asserted, the former bill would eventually afford satisfaction to those affected by it; there was, in his mind, no necessity for the present measure. The former bill cost some of their lordships a great deal of trouble, and much attention was paid to the discussion of the merits of the bill, in the committee, particularly by a noble earl, now absent on a command in Scotland (Moira), and a right rev. prelate, not now in his place (bishop of St. Asaph), as well as by himself. He thought, therefore, it would be better to wait till the effect of the former bill were ascertained.—The bill was forth-

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with read a second time, and ordered to the consideration of a committee of their lordships, on Thursday next. On which stage, it was ordered, that the petitioners have leave to be heard by their counsel, respecting the bill. After some proceedings had intervened,
The Earl of Suffolk again addressed their lordships on the subject; understanding a great diversity of opinions ootained, as to the merits of the bill, and strong objections were entertained to its principle, he should, with a view to afford time for its consideration, and a regular opportunity, at some distance, for the opposers of the measure to be heard by their counsel, move to-morrow, that the present order, with respect to the committee, be discharged, and that the bill, his lordship said, should be read on Wednesday se'nnight.

STATE OF IRELAND.
The Earl of Suffolk rose to move, that the order for summoning their lordships for Wednesday next, on the occasion of his intended motion for an enquiry into the existing state of Ireland, be discharged; which being accordingly done, his lordship observed, that he was principally induced to this, by his wish to take further time to consider upon the subject, to obtain further information, and to consult with several noble friends, who were inclined to support his proposition on the subject; which, perhaps, he might think not inexpedient, considering its very advanced period, to bring it forward during the present session. He concluded by moving, "that their lordships be summoned for Wednesday se'nnight." Ordered.

CALICO PRINTERS' PETITION.
Lord King presented a petition from the Journeymen Calico Printers of Lancashire, Derbyshire, Cheshire, Lanark, Renfrew, &c. complaining of the distress they suffer in consequence of their inability to procure employment owing to the excessive multiplication of apprentices, and stating other grievances to which they are subject. The noble lord prefaced his motion, that the petition should lie on the table, by assuring the house that the case of the petitioners was one of peculiar severity, and strongly entitled to the attention of the house. It was a great hardship, he observed, that those poor men should not, after serving a long apprenticeship, have at least a fair opportunity of employment. But the number of apprentices introduced
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of late years into their trade, which exceeded very far indeed the proportion ever known before in any mechanical profession in this country, excluded the journeymen from almost even the chance of being able to earn their subsistence. Indeed in many instances these journeymen were refused employment, unless they consented to sign a second contract or indenture for five or seven years, on such terms as the masters thought proper to prescribe. This was a case without parallel, and which could be scarcely heard of without surprize. However, notwithstanding those acts of injustice and oppression, it was not the wish of the journeymen to engage in any litigation with their masters, but rather to have matters settled amicably. It was not his desire, the noble lord stated, to interfere with the freedom of trade, but the house would recollect that such an interference was warranted by the operation of the combination law, and that in this instance he had a precedent precisely in point, he meant the silk weavers' act, which limited the number of apprentices which masters should take. The petitioners, he trusted, would meet that consideration from the house which their conduct deserved. They had not resorted to those combinations which were so injurious to trade and the peace of the country, but appealed to that house for redress. It was much to be wished that their example should have a due influence upon all the journeymen throughout the country, and he had no doubt that the fate of this petition would be such as to encourage those journeyman who feel that, when they had any real grievances to complain of, they might apply to that house with confidence of redress. The noble lord concluded with observing, that he did not mean to take any proceeding this session upon this petition, and he hoped the conduct of the masters in the course of the recess would render any further proceeding unnecessary. If, however, he should be disappointed in this just expectation; if no amicable adjustment should take place between the parties, he should feel it his duty at an early period of the next session to bring forward a measure grounded on the prayer of this petition.
The Earl of Suffolk considered the case of the petitioners as peculiarly entitled to the consideration of the house.—The petition was ordered to lie on the table.—Adjourned.