HL Deb 09 June 1864 vol 175 c1439

Amendments reported (according to Order.)

EARL GREY

moved to insert the following clause after Clause 11 of Bill, as amended in Committee:— If any Occupier of a House shall knowingly allow any person under Twenty-one Years of Age to be sent up a Chimney in the House he occupies, he shall be liable to a Penalty not exceeding Ten Pounds.

THE EARL OF LONGFORD

opposed the Amendment. The clause would expose householders to perpetual Vexation. The regulations in the earlier clauses affecting master-sweeps would, he thought, be quite sufficient to insure the object in view.

LORD PORTLAND

also opposed the Amendment.

THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY

thought that the Amendment might endanger the safety of the Bill in this and certainly in the other House. A case had been pointed out to him in which a householder was convicted of a similar offence under the law ns it now stood, and he hoped that his noble Friend would withdraw the Amendment.

EARL GREY

said, that if the law really was already what he thought it ought to be he should not press the Amendment; but he had thought it most improper to fine the master chimney sweeps and allow a person in a higher rank of life, who was guilty of the same offence, to escape.

Amendment (by Leave of the House) withdrawn: Bill to be read 3a To-morrow.