The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY.)
HIGHWAY RATES BILL.
This bill was real a second time.
SAVINGS BANKS BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
TOWNS IMPROVEMENT (IRELAND) BILL.
The house went into committee on this bill.
Upon clause 5,
The Earl of DESART thought that too much power
was given to the commissioners, with reference to fixing
the boundaries of towns. He thought that these boun-
daries should be set out in the London Gazette.
After a few words from Earl GRANVILLE, which were
totally inaudible in the gallery,
The clause was agreed to.
Clauses C to 24 inclusive were agreed to.
On clause 25,
The Earl of DESART moved the substitution of 201.
for 121. as the qualification of the commissioners.
Earl GRANVILLE thought 201. was too high a sum.
The amendment was .withdrawn.
The clause was then agreed to, as were also clauses 26
to 28.

The remaining clauses of the bill were then agreed to,
with some verbal amendments, and the bill passed
through committee, and the house resumed.
ACKNOWLEDMENT OF DEEDS BY MARRIED
WOMEN.
This bill went through committee.
MARRIAGES (NIEXICO) BILL.
This bill was likewise passed through committee.
The house then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
Theo house resumed at six o'clock.
SMOKE CONSUMING BY BAKERS.

Lord D. STUART begged to ask the Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether, considering the pecu-
liar difficulties experienced by bakers in complying with
the provisions of the Smoke Nuisance Prevention Act,
which was passed last session, and is to come into opera-
tion on the Ist of August next, it was intended to grant
any further time to persons engaged in that trade, and
whether Government had discovered any means for the
consumption of smoke in the victualling departments ?
Lord PALMERSTON said the act of last session came
into operation on the let of August next, and all parties
interested have had full time to make inquiries and prepa-
rations for complying with its provisions. It however
rests with the Secretary of State to determine in each case
whether proceedings are to be taken against any particular
individual, and my noble friend is aware that no common
informer has power to proceed under the law. It is not my
intention or desire to press hardly on any individuals or
any body of men, but my duty is only to see that the act
is bona fide put into execution. It is not for me to act as
advertiser or puffer of any particular invention, and there-
fore I must decline to mention any particular places where,
or any particular persons by whom, inventions have been
successfully carried into abet, but I may say that I have
been informed that an ingenious person, the proprietor of
a great baking establishment, has made arrangements by
means of which at a small cost he has almost completely
prevented the ebUllition of smoke. There is no doubt,
therefore, that the persons to whom my noble friend has
referred can find similar means of prevention, and if any
of them will apply to me I will tell them the name of the
person who has been so successful, although, as I have
said, I cannot act as an advertiser of his invention.
THE RELIGIOUS CENSUS.

Mr. A. PELLATT begged to ask the Secretary of State
for the Home Department whether any recent inquiry had
been made into the accuracy of the returns of the Registrar
General, and whether, in consequence, any doubt existed as
to their fairness ; also, whether there was any reason for
suspecting that the Dissenting returns have been exagge-
rated, so that the number of attendants at the Established
Church on the census Sunday have been made to appear
comparatively below the truth.
Lord PALMERSTON—I have made inquiries into the
mai ter to which the hen. gentleman has referred, and I
can say that the Government has no doubt of the accuracy
of the return, as regards all the facts it states—l mean the
g-encral facts —of course in a return collected in such a
number of places, and from such an infinite variety of per-
,,ons, there may be inaccuracies to a certain extent, but I
telieve there is no inaccuracy as to the general result
founded on the facts. With respect to inferences
which may be drawn from the facts, there may be sonic
doubts entertained, but as regards the facts generally, I
hive entire confidence in the return ; and I believe that
the p._Tsons employed in collecting the return performed
their duty diligently and faithfully, anti took every posible
pains to assure themselves that the return was as accurate
as the nature of such things will permit.
THE VOTE OF CREDIT.

Mr. DISRAELI said the noble lord the President of the
Council stated on a f.,rmer evening that he would to-day
lay on the table.the estimate for the conduct of the war. It
would bj convenient if it were known when and in what
manner it is proposed to take the estimate, and when it
will be laid on the table.
Lord J. RUSSELL—I am glad that this question has
been put, as my answer wilt perhaps spare some misappre-
hension. Her Majesty has ordered a message to be deli-
vered to this and the other House of Parliament on the sub-
ject, and I propose on Monday to ask, as is usual in time
of war, for a vote of credit. The amount of the vote will
be three millions. Ido not know whether the estimate
will be laid on the table to-night, but I believe it will be
laid on the table to-morrow. I have, however, now stated
the sum for which the vote will be asked, and I believe
that will be sufficient without the papers being laid on the
table. It is proposed that a sum of three millions shall
be voted for the purpoies of the war. It was asked the
other evening whether the vote would be taken in com-
mittee of ways and means, and I may say that it is not,
necessary that any further vote should be taken in com-
mittee of ways and means, the votes to which the house
has already come being sufficient.
Mr. DISRAELI—WiII the message from the Crown
come down on Monday, or will it be considered on Monday.
Lord J. RUSSELL—No. I hope the message will come
down to-morrow; but it will bo taken into consideration
on Monday.