The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-18 00:00:00

IRISH TITHE DEFAULTERS.

In answer to a question from an Hoil. MEMBER,
Lord ELIOT said, the amount of money due from
tithe defaulters in Ireland had not been returned, in con-
sequence of some difficulty in seperating the legal ex-
penses from the other items.
Captain LAYARD asked the Noble Lord, the Secre-
tary for Ireland, if he had received any official intelli-
gence of the recent retreat of the military before the
people in Ireland ?
Lord ELIOT said, he had not received any official
information on the subject ; but he had received
a private letter, from which he trusted that no
serious consequences would result from the move-
ment. In answer to a second question, the Noble Lord
stated that the warrant for the Special Commission re-
cently appointed, was dated the 10th of June ; that it
would be opened at Clonmel on the 28th, before the two
Chief Justices of Ireland. He could not say who
were to be the Counsel, but the Attorney-
General would appear on behalf of the Crown.
His Noble Friend the Lord Lieutenant, after due con-
sideration of the subject, and acting under the advice of
the Law Officers of the Crown, had come to a conclusion
that a Special Commission, by which prisoners would be
tried at Clonmel previous to the Assizes, . would be at-
tended with salutary effects.
Sr H. W. BARRON said that the Commission was to
be opened on the 25th of June, and the Assizes were to
commence on the 4th of July, so that the country would
be put to a considerable expense to hasten the trials by
a few days. The Hon. Gentleman was proceeding to
make some further observations when he was interrup-
ted by loud cries of " Order, and " Chair."
• The SPEAKER said that the Hon. Gentleman would
not he in order in commenting on the reply given to a
question put to the Noble Lord the Secretary for Ireland.
RELIEF OF THE POOR IN SCOTLAND.

Mr. E. ELLICF, jun., said he wished to put a ques-
tion to the Right Hon. Baronet on a subject of great im-
portance to Scotland. It would be in the recollection of
the House, that towards the close of the last session, in
consequence of representations which were made to the
House of extreme distress and destitution existing in
certain parts of Scotland, the House appointed a
Committee to inquire into that distress, and
to ascertain how far it might be remedied by
means of emigration. He wished •to ask the
Right Hon. Baronet whether the attention of the
Government had been directed to the evidence taken
before that Committee, and whether, taking into consi-
sideration the actual destitution in many parzs, the in-
creasing distress throughout Scotland, and the utter
insufficiency of the present law for the purpose of
affording any general relief, it was the intention of the
-Government to recommend any immediate measures to
Parliament, or to substitute any general inquiry, with a
view of extending the system of compulsory relief to the
poor, or of adopting measures for the improvement of
the law of Scotland, or of the present administration of
it on such a subject ?
Sir ROBERT PEEL said her Majesty's Govern-
ment had . had their attention directed to the pre-
sent state and practical operation of the law
in Scotland with respect to the relief of the
poor, and more especially in the large towns and
manufacturing districts. But they did not intend to
propose any alteration in the laws in the course of the
present session, thinking that very serious consideration
and full inquiry ought to precede any legislation upon
a subject of such immense importance to the
best interests of Scotland. At the same time
he had no hesitation in stating that his own
opinion was, that the law, with respect to the relief of
the poor in Scotland, especially in large towns, was at
present very defective, and that it was a subject well
Worthy of consideration. But, as he had said before,
he thought legislation ought not to be attempted with-
out full deliberation as to its consequences.
Mr. E. ELLICE, jun., said the Right Honourable
13aronet had not stated whether. it was the intention of
the Government to institute inquiry into the present
condition of the law, 43 regarde4 Scotland generally.

Sir ROBERT PEEL said, although he .could say
nothing as to the; mode of conducting the inquiry, he
had no hesitation instating that hei. MAiestv's Govern-
nt did intend to inquire into the sunject.
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE wished to ask the Right Hon.
Baronet, the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment, whether it was the intention of the Government
to bring forward any measure in t e course of the pre-
sent Session with respect to the registration of voters ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said he would, on Monday next,
give an answer to the question.
Lord J. RUSSELL inquired whether the Government
intended to bring forward any measure with respect to
the registration of voters in Ireland ?
Sir R. PEEL said he thought it would be-much better
first to apply themselves to the subject of English regis-
tratiou.—(Hear, hear, from the Opposition.)

In answer to a question from Dlr. bi. OItBRALL,
Sir R. PEEL said if they were unable to proceed wits•
the Irish Drainage Bill on Wednesday, there could be
no objection to naming an early day subsequently.