THE EARL OF DUNRAVEN, in rising to move—
That the Select Committee on the Sweating System have power to employ a gentleman for the purpose of visiting the various districts in the United Kingdom where it had been alleged that the sweating system existed, and examining into the evidence proposed to be submitted to the Select Committee,said, it depended altogether on their Lordships whether or not they re-appointed the Select Committee, which they appointed at the commencement of the Session, on the sweating system. He earnestly hoped they would do so; in fact, he assumed that they would. Their Lordships could readily understand that in an inquiry of this kind there was some considerable difficulty as to the nature and character of the evidence 858 to be received. It was impossible for the Committee to undertake that matter for themselves when the evidence which should come before them was in the Provinces. It was quite impossible, without the aid of a Committee clerk, to obtain any information as to the nature of the evidence to be brought before the Committee from long distances. Their Lordships' Committee, therefore, considered that to enable them to carry on their work, if they were re-appointed next Session, it was essential that they should have some assistance in that matter. The Home Office had placed at the disposition of the Committee a gentleman who was well capable of doing the work, and there was, he believed, no difficulty in the matter, except the technical one that the Committee itself had no power to appoint this gentleman. Therefore it was that he came to their Lordships with this Resolution.Moved, "That the Select Committee on the Sweating System have power to employ a gentleman for the purpose of visiting the various districts in the United Kingdom where it has been alleged that the sweating system exists, and examining into the evidence proposed to be submitted to the Select Committee."—(The Karl of Dunraven.)
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Lord KNUTSFORD)said, that if any technical difficulty existed in that matter, Her Majesty's Government were quite willing and desirous that it should be removed—that was to say, if it was necessary for the Committee to have any authority from the House to employ a gentleman for the purpose mentioned. Her Majesty's Government were as anxious as the noble Earl was that there should be a thorough inquiry into the question referred to the Select Committee; but he was informed that it would be sufficient if the Committee applied to the Treasury for leave to appoint the gentleman alluded to for the purpose indicated in the Motion. If, however, the case was otherwise, the Government, as far as they were concerned, would be happy to support the noble Earl.
§ On Question, agreed to.