Lords Sitting of 7 February 1840

MINUTES.
Petitions presented. By the Earl of Stanhope, from several places, for Inquiry into the Doctrines of Socialism.—By the Marquess of Downshire, from Individuals connected with Mills, against the Importation of Foreign Flour into Ireland.—By the Marquess of Bute, and the Earl of Minto, from several places in Scotland, against the Intrusion of Ministers into Parishes.—By the Earl of Minto, from Denholme, for the Repeal of the Corn-laws.

SOCIALISM.
Earl Stanhopesaid, he had the honour to present to their Lordships some petitions on the subject of the society of Socialists. The first was from a social community in Hampshire, praying their Lordships to examine Mr. Owen at their bar with respect to the principles of the society. The second was from a similar community in Liverpool to the same effect. The next petition was from several inhabitants of Brighton, who were not members of the society, but who also called for inquiry; and lastly, from inhabitants of Hereford, not members of the society, who likewise requested inquiry. He was not present at the discussion which took place on this subject a few
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evenings since, but he agreed mainly in the observations that were made by the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for the Home Department on that occasion. When attacks were thus made on particular doctrines and principles, the universal experience of mankind had proved that those attacks had only the effect of creating a re-action in favour of such doctrines and principles. He never could consent that bodies of men, or even a single man, should be stigmatized and condemned, unless previously their principles were examined, and their delinquency proved. The approbation of a community of property, which was charged against these people, was distinctly disclaimed in all the petitions; and a community of wives, which was denounced as one of the most guilty parts of the system, was stated by the petitioners not even to be noticed in the laws and regulations of the society. In fact, those who had petitioned disclaimed all such doctrines. [In proof of this statement, his Lordship read an extract from the constitution of the society.] It appeared to him, that when the subject was before the House, it would have been

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more proper to have consented to an inquiry, instead of adopting an address to the Throne. There was an increasing conviction in the country (whether erroneous or not, he would not then stop to inquire) that in order to improve the condition of the people, some organic change in the existing system must be effected. Let not their Lordships therefore think, that by any penalty or prosecution they would be able to check the growth of such an opinion. It would grow and increase more and more; and would ultimately force the Legislature to adopt that course which he had frequently recommended—namely, to redress the real grievances of the people.

CONSTABULARY FORCE.
The Duke of Richmondwished to know whether his noble Friend, the Secretary for the Home Department, had any objection to lay before the House a return of those places where a rural police had been established? And also whether her Majesty's Government intended this Session to bring in a measure to amend the Constabulary Bill?
The Marquess of Normanbysaid, that as to the first question of the noble Duke, he had no objection to produce such a return; and as to the second question, he had to state, that it was the intention of Government to bring in a measure to amend the Constabulary Bill. It would be shortly brought into Parliament, and he expected to have it in his hands tomorrow. The new measure would rot only affect the details, but the machinery of the bill; and would be calculated to relieve certain classes who were at present unjustly taxed.
The Duke of Richmondrecommended that any measure introduced on this subject should be referred to a select committee. The parish constables might, he thought, be rendered far more efficient than they were at present.
The Marquess of Normanby, when the bill came up from the House of Commons, would have no objection to refer it to a select committee.
Subject dropped.