§ LORD NORTON, in asking Her Majesty's Government, Whether anything is being done for the amendment of the law, promised in the early part of the Session, by which the 35th section of the Summary Jurisdiction Act may not stand in the way of a parent of a child sent to an industrial school being made to pay for it maintenance? said, he would remind them that in answer to a Question asked in "another place" some months ago, it had been stated that the matter would be considered, and that a short Act would, if possible, be passed in the course of the present Session. Under the 35th section of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, the contribution of a parent towards the maintenance of a child in an industrial school became a civil debt, and was not, therefore, one on respect of which a warrant of apprehension could be issued, unless the parent had means to pay and refused to pay. By the indirect effect of this law parents avoided, without risk of punishment, the responsibility of maintaining, even in part, children whom their neglect had got sent to industrial schools, and threw the charge unjustly, and most mischievously, on the ratepayer.
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE, in reply, said, that the subject had been under the consideration of the Secretary of State for the Home Department; but, unfortunately, the chances of introducing a measure this Session were growing less and less, and he was unable to hold out any hope that the question would be dealt with before next year.