HL Deb 27 July 1908 vol 193 cc736-7

[SECOND READING.]

Order of the day for the Second Reading read.

THE EARL OF STRADBROKE

My Lords, the object of this Bill is to make married women with separate estate equally liable with single women and widows for contribution, in repayment to boards of guardians for the support or relief of their parents. The Bill has boon introduced in consequence of a Resolution passed at the last annual meeting of the Association of Poor Law Unions of England and Wales, and that Resolution arose out of a case taken to the Court of Appeal by the Pontypool Union, where a married woman in fairly good circumstances refused to contribute to the support of her father, although her brothers, who were not in such a good financial position, were contributing Is. and Is. 6d. a week respectively. The Bill has passed through the House of Commons without Amendment, and, I believe, with the approval of His Majesty's Government. I, therefore, trust your Lordships will give it a Second Reading.

Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Earl of Stradbroke.)

THE EARL OF HALSBURY

I would ask the noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack whether, in his view, the Bill is necessary at all.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I should like an opportunity of ascertaining what the exact position is before we proceed with the Bill. Perhaps the noble Earl will allow it to stand over for a day.

THE EARL OF STRADBROKE

My only reason for pressing the matter was to get the Bill through your Lordships' House before the adjournment. As I have said, the Bill has passed through the House of Commons without any Amendment.

LORD ALLENDALE

My Lords, I have to say, on behalf of the Local Government Board, that they have no wish to offer any opposition to the Bill; in fact, they are prepared to give it their support.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I have no doubt the Bill is quite right, but, as a matter of fact, I have not seen it, and I should like to have an opportunity of ascertaining what the law is before we alter it.

LORD ASHBOURNE

Perhaps the Lord Chancellor, while he is applying his mind to the matter, will see whether Ireland cannot be dealt with in the same way.

THE EARL OF STRADBROKE

In view of what has been said, I shall be very pleased to move the adjournment of the debate.

Moved "That the debate be adjourned." —(The Earl of Stradbroke).

On Question, Motion agreed to, and debate adjourned till Tomorrow.