HL Deb 28 June 1853 vol 128 cc908-9
The EARL of SHAFTESBURY

moved the Second Reading of the above Bill, and proposed to take the discussion when they got into Committee. He was anxious, indeed, to go into Committee pro formâ, in order to facilitate the progress of the measure.

LORD MONTEAGLE

said, there could be no objection to giving opportunity for putting the Bill into the best possible shape. He thought, as it stood at present, it would be impossible to carry out the Bill, as it would interfere with the provisions of the poor-law in regard to the separation of children from their parents.

LORD CAMPBELL

said, that he believed none of his noble Friend's (Earl of Shaftesbury's) labours would redound more to' his credit than this. Juvenile mendicancy inevitably led in one sex to prostitution, and in the other to theft. He was shocked to see children wandering about the streets, pretending to ask for halfpence, but really wanting to pick pockets; and if the noble Earl would add a clause forbidding any boy or girl under a certain age to sweep a street-crossing, he would confer a great benefit on the community. It was quite distressing to see little girls of eleven or twelve years of age sweeping crossings. Their fate, if not removed, was inevitable; and therefore the sooner they were placed in some refuge the better. It had been objected that this Bill would separate children from their parents; but he thought it would be a great advantage to remove them from contact with those who had sent them into the streets.

The EARL of WICKLOW

did not approve of any part of this Bill, except the first clause. He thought it would be most objectionable to allow any parent to get rid of his child merely by sending him or her into the streets, from which it was to be taken by a police constable and placed in a workhouse.

The EARL of SHAFTESBURY

thought the noble Earl had read no part of the Bill but the first clause. The principle laid down was this, that children should be taken from the care of those who sent them out into the streets for purposes of mendicancy. It was known that these persons sent out their children at an early hour, from 3 to 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning, and that they did not return till late at night, and sometimes not at all; and unless they had a certain sum when they came back, they were exposed to the most cruel tortures, which, in the end, drove them to profligacy. The Bill would hold the persons who acted in this way responsible for the maintenance of their children in their persons and their purses.

Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the. whole House on Thursday next.

House adjourned till To-morrow.