The Sun.
London, England, 1837-03-10 00:00:00

•
forced.—(Hear, hear.)
INCLOSURE BILLS.

Mr. HUME moved that in all Inclosure Bills provision
should be made for leaving an open space sufficient for the
purpose of exercise and recreation of the neighbouring
population, and that in any case where the Committee on
the Bill should consider such open space unnecessary, they
be required specially to report to the House their rea-
sons for not complying with the orders of the House.
If the Committee did not approve of the insertion of the
clause, all they were required was to state the reasons
which induced them to come to that decision.
Sir R. PEEL did not know whether the terms of the
motion were such as would best secure its object, but he
thought the subject one deserving the serious considera-
tion of the House. It was most desirable that the autho-
rities of every large manufacturing town—indeed of any
town having a large population—should have power to set
aside an open space for public recreation. There was not,
in his opinion, any more legitimate source of amusement.
It would tend to promote health, and to wean the lower
orders from the bad habits which they sometimes con-
tracted. If for the object of public benefit it was found
necessary to inclose any portion of waste land, though it
would be difficult to apportion compensation to each indivi-
dual, yet it could be done generally, by setting aside for the
rural population an open space of play-ground. There
could be no question that though the poor people might
have no legal right to the commons, yet they had a strictly
moral one, and in the consideration of any Inclosure Bill
their interests should not be overlooked. He should not
now stop to canvass the wording of the resolution, but
simply state his perfect concurrence in its principle.—
(Hear.) Every one was pleased with the improvements
in the Parks of London, and the same system should
be extended to the large manufacturing towns. He

would have no objection that a grant of public money to
the amount of 5,0001. or 10,0001. would be made for, that
purpose, and should give his cordial support to the motion
of the Hon. Member.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. BROTHERTON expressed the great gratification
he felt at hearing such sentiments from the Right Hon.
Baronet, whose powerful influence would materially pro-
mote the object of the Right Hon. Member for Middlesex.
Mr. HARDY would not deny that the labouring classes

were entitled to consideration, and that a space should be
left for that purpose. The Hon. Member's motion, how-
ever, went too far, as it contemplated the introduction of the
clause into all Inclosure Bills. Now, there was a great dif-
ference between what were called common lands and waste
lands—the former being as much private property as if they
had been inclosed, and,they must be considered in the light
of highways.
The ATTORNEY-GENERA heartily concurred in
the proposition of the Hon. Member for Middlesex,
but he could not agree with the bad law of the Honour-
able Member for Bradford, from which every lawyer in
Westminster Hall would dissent. He thought wherever
there was to be such an enclosure there ought to be such a
reservation as was proposed by the Hon. Member for
Middlesex. In his opinion it ought to be made a Standing
Order of the House.
After a few words from Lord Sandon, who was inaudible
in the gallery,
Mr. POTTER said he had to express the pleasure he
felt in common with other Members at what had fallen from
the Right Hon. Baronet, (Sir R. Peel), and the Learned
Attorney-General ; but he was afraid it was now too late,
as there were very few commons to enclose.
The resolution was thdn agreed to, and on the motion of
Mr. HUME it was made one of the Standing Orders of
the House.