The Marquis of Lansdowne, in moving the commitment of the Parish Apprentice Bill, said, it was known that great abases had existed in the apprenticing of parish children, in places far distant from their place of birth, and where they were removed from all their friends, and from the superintendence of any one who took an interest in their fate. The object of the present Bill was to limit the distance to which these children could be sent, to 40 miles. This limitation had been thought by a noble and learned lord too strict, and that noble lord had thought that a less strict limitation, but with a provision for the superintendence of the justices of peace, would be more advisable. He should move that the Bill be committed, and the amendment proposed by the noble and learned lord being introduced, he should move that it be reported and printed, with the intention of suffering it to stand over to the next session, so that in the mean time it would be open to the inspection of the magistrates who were best informed on this subject, especially those of the Manchester district.
§ The Bill then went through a committee, was reported, and ordered to be printed.