The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-13 00:00:00

COMMISSIONERS OF DEPARTMENT OF
CUSTOMS.

Mr. TIIORNELY rose to ask the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, whether any reports have been made by the
Commissioners for inquiring into the management of the
Department of Customs; and, if such reports have bee❑
made, whether the Government will, in consequence, be
able to effect any material saving in the cost of collecting
the revenue of Customs; and whether the inquiries of
the Commissioners are still proceeding.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that some time ago a report had been presented, and in
consequence of which a saving had been effected of
60,0001. ; a report was now being made by which it was
expected that 10,0001. more would be saved, and further
inquiries would, no doubt, lead to further reductions.
ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH AND THE
CHOLERA.

Mr. BERNAL rose to call the attention of the Secre

tary of State to the fact, that while the cholera was
advancing with great rapidity, the Members of that
House were assailed by several nuisances which
existed about the House, and particularly by the
smell arising from the vaults of St. Margaret's
Church, which were often so overpowering that the
Members of Committees were obliged to close their
windows. He would also advert to the state of sewer-
age, which, after all their expensive measures, was so
bad in his own neighbourhood,ia mile from the House,
that he had often been obliged to close his window.
Sir G. GREY said that all the powers which were
vested in the Board of Health were being used to clear
away such causes of complaint, and he himself, when
he had his attention called to such subjects, always
communicated with the Board of Health or to the police.
Mr. GOULBURN inquired whether a treaty which
had been stated to be pending on the part of the church-
wardens of St. Margaret's, for a burying-ground, had
been completed?
Sir G. GREY said he was not able to inform the
Right Hon. Gentleman.
Lord ASHLEY said that the Board of Health had
no jurisdiction to interfere, except where the cholera had
broken out. They had no power to do anything for the
permanent removal of disease. Ho admitted that the pre-
sent state of the metropolis was bad enough, but not
anything like what had been represented by his Hon.
Friend to his left (Mr. Bernal). There could be no
doubt that the cholera was spreading rapidly in the
metropolis, anti unless something was done no one could
tell what would be the consequences.
Viscount EBRINGTON said that many of the nui-
sances in the neighbourhood of the House had been
removed, and the drains under it were in a healthy state;
but the exhalations from St. Margaret's Churchyard,
which it was stated affected parts of the House, it was
impossible for the Commissioners of Sewers to keep out.
Mr. HENLEY wished to ask the Noble Lord at the
head of the Government whether, when the Health of
Towns Bill was brought in, ho and those who supported
him were not the cause of the metropolis being left out
of the provisions of that Bill ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL sail it was thought necessary
by his Noble Friend at the head of the Woods and
Forests that a separate Bill should be brought in for the
metropolis. He had spoken to his Noble Friehd with
respect to the introduction of that Bill, and he had
told him that ho thought it would not be desirable till
the Commissioners of Sewers had proceeded further to
bring in the Bill.