§ The EARL of SHAFTESBURYbrought up the Report of Amendments on this Bill and stated that it was proposed to confine the operation of the measure to children no exceeding ten years of age. He regretted to find that some remarks he had made of a former occasion with reference to the President of the Poor Law Board had been misunderstood. He was most anxious the no misconception should exist as to his intentions, for he would be sorry to say a word that could be considered disparaging of a Gentleman of such amiable disposition, am who had so satisfactorily discharged the duties of a most important office.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, he had to suggest an Amendment for the consideration of their Lordships, with the view of meeting 165 what he believed to be a deficiency in the Bill of the noble Lord. A practice was, growing up in this metropolis of employing young children of both sexes under ten years of age, whose nominal business it was to sweep the crossings, but who were in fact beggars. They were generally young female children, about seven or eight year of age, or boys of the same age; the former of which generally became prostitutes, and the latter thieves. He considered it was most essential that in this most excellent measure a provision should be introduce, for the purpose of remedying the evil to which he had alluded. It would be a question for his noble and learned Friend (the Lord Chancellor) whether a clause might not be introduced into the Bill, giving the power of taking up all young children so employed, and sending them to the work house—the only means which occurred to his mind of putting a stop to such a detestable practice as that to which he had referred. He would not, however, press on the noble author of this Bill anything which he might consider unnecessary, but merely threw out a suggestion for his consideration.
§ The EARL of SHAFTESBURYexpressed himself desirous of meeting the views of the noble and learned Lord.
§ Amendment made; and Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.