The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-28 00:00:00

HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL.

Mr. DIVETT gave notice that, in Committee on the
Health of Towns Bill, he should move that clauses 19,
20, 21, and 23 be struck out.
THE WELLINGTON STATUE.
Mr. C. BERKELEY gave notice that, on reading the
order of the day on Monday, he should put a question to
the First Lord Commissioner of Woods and Forests
with respect to the Wellington statue.—(Laughter.)
RAILWAYS IN IRELAND.
Lord G. BENTINCK presented petitions from
Dublin, and from various unions in Clare, Queen's
County, Galway, Clonmel, and other places in Ireland,
iu favour of the extension of railways in that country.
COLONISATION.
Lord GEORGE BENTINCK presented a petition
from Dublin in favour of some efficient plan of colo-
nisation.

HEALTH OF TOWNS.
Mr. V. SMITH presented a petition, numerously
signed, from the medical men of Northampton, in favour
of the Health of Towns' Bill, and from the Commis-
sioners of Paving and Lighting in the same place, against
the Bill.—(Laughter.)
Mr. MACKINNON begged to ask the Noble Lord at
the head' of the Government whether it was the intention
of the Government to proceed with the Health of Towns
Bill this session?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said he would state the course
he would pursue on Monday night next.
EDUCATION.—ROMAN CATHOLICS.
Sir R. PEEL said he had to present two petitions to
the House from her Majesty's Roman Cathol.c subjects,
praying that they may be included in the provisions of
the grant for education; the first was signed by clergy-
men and laymen in Alingham, Northumberland, and
I the second by clergymen and laymen in Enfield.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.

On the motion of Lord JOHN RUSELL, it was
agreed that the House at its rising adjourn till Monday
night.

POOR-LAW COMMISSION.

Captain PECHELL wished to know whether the
Noble Lord intended to take the vote for the expenses
of the Poor•law Commission to night?

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that vote would not be
included among the estimates tonight.

PUBLIC BUSINESS.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that on Monday next,
before the other orders of the day, he would
take up the Lords' Amendments on the Poor-law
(Ireland) Bill, and the Landed Estates (Ireland)
Bill. As to the Scotch Bills introduced by
the Lord Advocate, and appointed for Monday night,
might be subject to some delay, they would be con-
sidered immediately after these two Bills. The Prisons'
Bill would come on for consideration on Thursday, and
the Discount on Loan Bill on Friday.
STATE OF PORTUGAL.
Mr. HUME wished to ask a question which he had
put the other night, with respect to the state of Por-
tugal. That question was as to whether the Noble Lord
at the head of the Government had any objection to lay
on the table of the House copies of the instructions
which bad been given to the British agents in Portugal.
Lord J. RUSSELL said that he should oppose at pre-
sent the production of any papers respecting Portugal.
The Government bad no objection to the production
of the papers, and when the proper time came ha would
take care that they were laid on the table of the House.
Mr. HUME—The mischief would be done by that
time, and therefore he trusted that when the matter,
came to be considered on Monday the Noble Lord woulu
give him an answer, and he would therefore on that day
once more put the question.
Another Hole. MEMBER was proceeding to put a
question to the House on another subject, when he was
called to order, and
Mr. HUME said that he bad another question to put,
but that was to the Noble Lord at the head of the
Foreign Department, and that was, whether any instruc-
tions had been sent out to Colonel Wylde and the other
British agents to use coercive measures in the event of
the Junta not acceding to the propositions which had
been laid before them?
Lord PALMERSTON said that arrangements had
been made between the Governments of France, Spain,
end Portugal, for the repression of the insurrection
in
that country. The production of the papers asked for
would naturally hinder the progress of any negotiations,
but when the proper time came he would be ready to
produce the ea uers ar•d to state the reasons for the mea-
sures which they had adopted, and which he was sure
would satisfy the House.
Mr. HUME—AII he wished to know was, whether
any instructions for coercive measures had been issued.
I,ord PALMERSTON said that it was Impossible t 9

produce the papers while measures were in course of
execution.

Mr. HUME then gave notice that he should on
Monday bring the subject under the consideration of the
House.

RELIEF WORKS (IRELAND).
Lord G. BENTINCK. having observed that, while the
outlay on the public works in Ireland had been reduced
from a quarter of a million to 40,0001. per week, the
expense of the staff, which had been rated at 60,000/.
was still 14,0001. a week, said the question he wished to
ask was, whether there was any prospect of the expense
of the staff being reduced in proportion to the reduction
of the outlay for labour? He wished, therefore, to in-
quire how many of those persons who were receiving
14,0001. a week of the public money were of the class
of destitute electors?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
on the 25th of this month a great reduction had taken
place in the number of the inferior classes employed on the
public works. A reduction in the numbers of the superior
officers could not be so easily effected, as they would have
to be employed on the various relief committees. In the
numbers of the overseers and the check clerks a very
large reduction had taken place. Upon the 31st of
March the number of overseers employed was 11,218,
vvhcreas upon the 25th of May their number oiily
amounted to 3,700, being a reduction of about 7,000.
Tho check clerks had been reduced from 4,800 on the
31st of March to 2,000 on the 25th of the present month.
With regard to the others who were employed reduc-
tions were going on as far as was consistent with the
necessities of the case.