The Express.
London, England, 1847-05-04 00:00:00

cowheits would have no representative In this int. lie
would sew* recoraneend the government CIO= new
pow under the control of the !secretary Ike Cg arse@ ds-
=t. Ho concurred with the hon. vasulker Resette.
in thinking that the unions penally wee be
large, and that an alteration is that respect was Impastirdi
required.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that so far as the government IPSO
concerned, instead of desiring any increase of patronage, by
far the most convenient course for them would have been to
have a law which regulated all the points in relation to the
whet, bar.)
poor, which wide the administration local, and relieved the
government
rnirmase nt
13 e statefrom
gseuonfdeatirlheabold (Hear,law
ever hardship or abihnc;setit:ia arose, no one thought of blaming the
government. But, moat people would be of opinion that,
as was the case in 1834, when the administration of the law
varied se much that it was impossible to bring the whole
esramry to adopt one and the same system,--m, at
the went time, after 13 or 14 years' administration
thins were still such very great diversities, that it would net
be prudent, advisable, or safe to bring all parts of the
country under the same general rules. For that reason, the
government had thought it necessary to have some central
authority, by whom the rules might be applied or relaxed as
advisable. The three hon. mrmbers who had last spoken
complained that the bill did not give re.ponsibility ; but the
noble lord, the member for Durham, had taken a far more
correct view of the plan proposed by government. They did
not propose that each member of the board should act
on his own separate opinion, but that one person, the
president, should have the same authority in the
poor-law administration, as the presidents of alts
Board of Contr.l and of the Beard of Trade, had in their
respective department'. It was desirable, at the same tins,
that some member of the government should be informed on
the points brought before the board; and, instead of making
an additional department its the office of the Secretary of
Sta'e, they proposed to constitute an. w officer. That was
• point which the house might afterwards consider in COII.
mittee. But, at least, it could not be said that there +isnot
renon4bility, for the head of the board would be the per=
responsible, and mainly and chiefly answerable for any eon-
plaints that might be made. It had been asked why this
power was not given to the Secretary of State. Having had
some experience in the Home office, he thought that far too
meth of the administration of the day was thrown upon
that older. (Haar, hear). The secretari. sof state had
great interests placed in their hangs; the home secretary
was responsible for the peace of the country, the security
of person and property, and the general administration of
the criminal law. These matters were sufficient to occupy
his whole attention, and to engage his whole responsibility.
But if, in addition, he had to concern himself with the
' details of factory bills, of workhouse dietaries, and other
matters, his power would be very muck diminished of
paying due attention to the great subjects which were
Ikrmerly solely committed ta his charge. It was an advantage
in this bill, that the home secretary, instead of beings's,*
involved in, was more separated from, the general rdmis-
Dation of the poor-laws. He must of necessity be acquainted
with what was going on on eubjecta of great importance, but
he would not be required to attend to the ordinary details of
the business. The advantage of the present plan was, that
the person who was really responsible would be directly
answerable in parliament. He would be there ready to
defend every step that was taken, and the house would be
able to judge whether the defence was sufficient. These
officers would certainly become part, as it were, of the poli-
tical administration of the country. That was so far wirer-
•

tunate ; but it could not be helped. The hnn. member for
Knaresborough had asked whether government meant to
exclude those now in office from any office under the new
law. He would give no pledge whatever on that subject. The
government ought to be able to do as they did when the poor-
law was first passed—(bear)—to choose the persons host quali-
fied to administer the law, and such as were most likelyto ob-
tain public confidence. The responsibility of making that
choice was great; it had been matter of senous deliberation in
1835, and would be so again; but the government ought to
reserve to themselves full discretion as to whom they would
appoint. (Hear, hear.) As to the site of unions and other
questions, those would be much better discussed alter this
bill, which related only to administration, was passed. No
doubt amendments were required and might be mode; but a
member of the house, charged with the responsibility of this
department, would be the most proper person to introduce
such amendments, and they would be more likely to be dis-
cussed then with advantage. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. P. BORTHWICK thought the attendance of any
cabinet minister at the board could only be nominal. With
regard to the interference with the parochial system alluded
to by some members, it occurred to him that it arose mainly
from the church not being placed in her praiser position to-
wards the poor.
Mr. NEWDEGATE asked if the president and secretary
of the commission, who hod sesta in the house, would be
removable on a change of administration ?
Sir G. GREY said the only prnvimota on that paint in the
bill was, that the officers 'would hold thtir offices at pleasure.
Mr. FERRAND wished to give notice that, when the
question was discussed, he should move a distinct resolution
that the present poor-law commissioners were ineligible to
hold offices in the new commission, and he should base that
resolution upon the contents of the report of the A ndover
committee.

Leave wail then given to bring in the bill, which was sub-
sequently brought in, mad a first time, ordered to be printed,
and to he road a second time on Monday next.
The house adjourned at ten minutes after twelve o'clock.