The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-20 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING.
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

PETITIONS.
Lord IIARDINGE presented a petition from South Molton
against the opening of beer shops on the Sunday.
Lord DENMAN presented a petition from the inhabitants
of Denbigh against the sale of spirituous liquors on the
Sunday.

Lord DERBY presented a petition against the sale of in-
toxicating liquors on the Sunday.
METROPOLITAN POOR BILL.

The Earl of DEVON said that in introducing this bill
for a second reading he might mention that it was a most
important one with regard to the poor in the metro-
polis. The bill had a threefold purpose—first, to pro-
vide for the sick and miserable; secondly, for the
proper care of the poor as regarded the workhouses ;
and, lastly, for a general revision of the whole conduct
towards the metropolitan poor. When it was taken into
consideration how much difference there was between the
poor in the country and the metropolis the necessity for
this bill would be thoroughly appreciated. In the
country workhouses there were only 14 per cent.,
while in the metropolis there were 37 per cent.
Of late years care had been taken to investigate into
the position of the sick poor, and one of the most impor-
tant questions to be considered was the amount of accom-
modation that could be given to them in the various work-
houses of the metropolis. It was considered necessary that
for 500 persons there should be 1,200 cubic feet of space.
but in no workhouse was there more than 850 feet. To
guide them in the matter they had had the cases of
Timothy Daly, who died in the Holborn Workhouse in
December, 1864, and of Richard Gibson, who died at the
St. George's Workhouse ; and, under these circumstances,
inspectors had been appointed, who had pronounced that the
sick-wards were inadequate and insufficient, and that
in addition to these reports, among other circumstances,
proclaimed the same thing. Prom these circumstance;
he (the noble earl) should, without hesitation, contend that
there were just grounds for the Poor Law Board to take
ample steps in the matter. That house and the country
at large mustbe indebted to the exertions of that noble lady
(Miss Nightingale) who had exhibited such sympathetic
and loving attention to all matters connected with the
sick and poor, and had shown how ranch by judicious ma-
nagement might be done to alleviate the miseries of disease.
Tho noble earl then reviewed the precise terms of the
bill which would be adapted to tho necessities of the poor
and sick, but would not in any degree interfere with the
action of the Poor-law Board. That would bo for the
creation of freshalistricts where the poor should be relieved,
the foundation of dispensaries, the appointment :of paid
nurses, the compensation to medical officers, the establish-
ment of extended accommodation for pauper lunatics,
and the just relief of all distressed persons, lie therefore,
in full confidence, well knowing that it was almost unani-
mously agreed to in the other house, moved the reading
of the bill a second time.

Lord KIMBERLEY said that ho considered that the
bill reflected great credit upon those who framed it,
but he could not help commenting upon a remark
made by the noble earl opposite, that the present
bill did not reflect upon the local guardians ; but ho
(the noble earl) considered that it did so ; but, in
that respect, ho must say that he thought that the
Poor-law Board should be free from that system of jeal-
ousy which had been exhibited towards it. These
boards should undoubtedly have the power to enforce
what they considered locally necessary without being
obliged only to take evidence in the matter by affidavits