The Sun.
London, England, 1853-04-11 00:00:00

78, in the event of the Clergy Reserves being secularised
by the Legislature of Canada.
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government had not
asked for a written opinion from the law officer of the
Crown, but they had communicated to him verbally that
in the event of the secularisation of the clergy reserves
there would be no claim made on the Consolidated Fund.
POOR LAWS.

Sir W. JOLLIFFE wished to ask the President of
the Poor Law Board whether it is the intention of the
Government to bring forward, during the present session,
measures either to alter or repeal the laws with respect
to pauper settlement in England and Wales. And, if
bills with that or any other poor law objects are to be
proposed, at what period they are likely to be upon the
table of the house.
Mr. BAINES replied that notice had already been
given of a similar question, but all that he could now
state was, that on Monday next the noble lord the mem-
ber for the City of London, would state the views and
intentions of the Government upon this subject.
UNIVERSITIES.

Mr. M. MILNES wished to ask Lord John Russell
whether in his declaration of the intentions of the Go-
vernment on the subject of the reform of the Universi-
ties, he intended to imply that the support and assistance
of the Government would be given to such colleges as
may be desirous to obtain the aid of Parliament to
enable them to dispense with their obligations to their
present statutes, and to substitute such other statutes as
may seem to them advisable for the advantage of their
separate societies and for the public good.
Lord J. RUSSELL said he could not bind the Go-
vernment to the extent which the question welit, but
the Government would be prepared to go with the
authorities of the Universities as far as they could.
LOSS OF STEAM-VESSELS.

Mr. FREDERICK DUNDAS wished to ask the
Lord-Advocate whether he has received any report,
from the local authorities at Aberdeen, of the circum-
stances connected with the Duke of Sutherland steamer,
on entering the harbour of Aberdeen on the afternoon
of Friday, the Ist instant ; and whether it was intended to
adopt any means by which, in future, the rocket appa-
ratus and life-boats usually resorted to in cases of ship-
wreck, may be rendered more available and efficient.
The LORD ADVOCATE said he had not yet received
any report on the subject, but special directions had
been given for a full inquiry into the whole circum-
stances of the case.
Mr. KENNEDY wished to ask the President of the
,Board of Trade whether any investigation had been
made by her Majesty's Government into the causes of
the numerous disasters which have recently occurred in
the coasting and channel traffic of the United Kingdom,
more particularly those having reference to the following
vessels :—The Mlneiva, the Prince Arthur, and the
Duke of Sunderland, with a view to the prevention of
such occurrences ? And whether any, or what steps,
had been taken by her Majesty's Government on the
report, made by Captain Walker of the causes attending
the late wreck of the steam-ship Queen Victoria, of
Dublin ?
Mr. CIRDWELL said the local authorities were
constantly instructed to make reports upon the subject
of these occurrences, and the Board of Trade was now
engaged inquiring into the circumstances attending all
of these cases.
On the motion of Viscount MONCK a new writ was
ordered for the City of Carlow, in the room of Col.
Bruen, deceased.