HL Deb 12 July 1898 vol 61 cc613-4

Order for Second Reading read.

LORD MONTEAGLE OF BRANDON

My Lords, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, I feel that I need not detain the House many minutes in recommending it to your Lordships. The Bill requires but little explanation beyond what is given in the Memorandum, and I hope it does not require much argument to commend it to your Lordships. The clauses are all taken from the Bill, which was introduced by Her Majesty's Government in the House of Commons last year, but which could not be proceeded with for want of time. There is a very general desire in Ireland that these clauses should be passed into law without delay. The Bill is almost entirely of an enabling character, and directed to supply omissions in the existing law which do not exist in England, and to give to Irish boards of guardians further powers, such as are already possessed by English boards of guardians. The first clause deals with the important matter of boarding out orphan and deserted children by boards of guardians, which it is desired to bring up to date and to place on a basis more in conformity with modern ideas. The second clause enables boards of guardians, with the consent of the Local Government Board, to provide for the teaching of workhouse children in National schools in the neighbourhood; and the third clause enables them to send children for education and training to certain schools of an industrial character where they will obtain a better training than they could possibly receive in the workhouse. The fourth clause is directed to restraining the employment of pauper children under the age of 12 years, the principle of which is already recognised both in Ireland and in England, but the existing law has been found to be insufficient to secure the object in view. My Lords, I have reason to hope that the Bill will receive the support of Her Majesty's Government, and I beg to move that it be read a second time.

THE EARL OF DENBIGH

My Lords, I have only to say, on behalf of the Irish Government, that this Bill meets with their cordial approval and sympathy, and I hope your Lordships will accord the Bill a Second Reading.

Question put.

Bill read a second time, and committed to a Committee of the whole House.