The Earl of Glengallcomplained that the papers relative to the proceedings of the Poor-law Commissioners in Ireland, which had been laid on the table, were not satisfactory. He wished that the correspondence relative to the appointment of surgeon Phelan should be produced.
The Marquess of Normanbydid not believe that there was any correspondence on the subject, but he would make inquiry.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonsaid, that looking to the extensive powers which the board possessed, it was right that all correspondence connected with the appointment of officers should be produced, for the purpose of enabling their Lordships to trace such appointments to their origin. If, however, there was no correspondence, a return of names and offices should at least be made.
The Marquess of Normanbysaid, he would make inquiry with respect to any correspondence that might have occurred, but he feared that the return would be nil.
Lord Ellenboroughsaid, that yesterday a collection of papers had been laid on the table relative to the valuation of property in reference to the Irish poor-law. In the 33rd paragraph of the instructions to those who were to estimate the annual value of premises, it was set forth "that it is desirable that the amount should not include fractions of a pound, unless where the value of the premises is very low." Now 119 this direction of the commissioners was contrary to the law. The law required that the valuation should he absolutely and strictly correct; and those who made the valuation were not warranted in departing from the law in consideration of the greater convenience of giving the value in pounds rather than the fractions of pounds. Therefore he hoped that the noble Marquis would immediately cause that 33rd clause to he withdrawn, and thus prevent the value of premises really below 10l. from being improperly raised to 10l. The tendency of the instruction was to encourage false statements as to the value of property, of which noble Lords had so frequently complained.
§ Subject at an end.