BASTARDY LAWS AMENDMENT ACT, 1872 AMENDMENT BILL.

HL Deb 18 November 1918 vol 32 c196

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

VISCOUNT SANDHURST

My Lords, this is a very simple, and, I suggest, a very humane proposal. By Section 4 of the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1872, the sum for the maintenance and education of a child was fixed at 5s. a week. In the last twelve months many representations have been received as to the insufficiency of this sum in view of the general rise in food and other necessaries, and also in view of the rise in wages, and I think it is generally recognised that it is quite inadequate. The Chief Magistrate and the Local Government Board have recently been consulted and they agree that the maximum should be raised. The Chief Magistrate also considers that there should be the power to vary the existing orders. That is the whole Bill, and I beg to move that it be read a second time.

Moved, That the Bill be now read 2^a—(Viscount Sandhurst.)

On Question, Bill read 2^a.

Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX) having been suspended) House in Committee and Bill reported without amendment: Bill read 3^a, and passed.