PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS. Two Select Committees, one appointed to inquire into
the mode in which Medical Relief is'now administered in the English Poor-law Unions, and the other to inquire into the expediency of continuing the Parliamentary grants to the Dublin Hospitals, have presented their reports. In the matter of the English Poor-law Unions, the recommendations re- late to a more efficient administration of medical relief by reducing the area of the 'medical districts, increasing the allowances to the medical officers, and making their appointments for life. The Committee also advise that the circumstance of obtaining medioal relief should not pauperize the recipient. It is remarked with commendation, that purely medical clubs supported by industrious persons are springing up in the agricultural districts ; thus evincing a laudable, desire to obtain a benefit without the sacrifice of in- dependence.
The Committee on the Dublin Hospitals speak highly of them as a medi- calschool, and as 'affording a large, and efficient system of medical relief to thC sick poor. The withdrawal of the grants is deprecated, and a suggestion made for an annual inspection of the Hospitals. Grants amounting to 16,000/. annually are recommended. For this year, the amount in the Es- timates is 12,90l. The Select, Committee on Emigrant Ships has also reported. The :inquiry included the causes of shipwreck, of sickness on board, and other casualties t° which the emigrant is exposed. The suggestions of the Committee com- Prise more stringent regulatuaniati to the quantity of iron which emigrant ships shoold carry HS cargo, larger space to be- assigned to each emigrant, better ventilation, better diet, and more effective manning of the shi. The more specific recommendations are, that the number of persons to 'ho conveyed without a medical officer be reduced from 500 to 300; and that except in special cases the number should not exceed 500, where a surgeon is on board. Vessels carrying passengers in the ratio of two to 100 tons to be brought within the scope of the Passengers Act ; that the "detention- money " paid to passengers be increased from to. per head to Is. 6d. ; that improved arrangements be made for the conveyance of the persons to the port of embarkation ; and that vessels be detained where epidemic disease is suspected. It is further suggested, that negotiations with the United States be entered into, with the view of concerting an effective plan of cooperation between the two Governments.
The estimated expense for the new War Department in its officers is 10,407/. Two under-secretaries, private secretaries, fifteen clerks, librarian, office-keeper, and porters, are included. The present estimate is for nine months. The salary of the Minister of "War is computed at the rate of 5000/. per annum. Under the head of contingencies, messengers and postages, 6893/. is put down ; making in all 17,300/.
The Militia Estimate for the Three Kingdoms, as prepared by a Select Committee, for the year ending 31st March 1855, is 998,0001. The num- ber of officers and men is 124,074. Last year's estimate provided for a force of 91,812, at a cost of 478,740/.
The Estimate for the Post-office Packet Service is 812,8261. ; being 22,000/. less than last year.
A supplemental vote of 31,0001. is to be asked by the Ordnance Depart- ment; 25,000/. to be applied to the factory at Enfield, and 6000/. to defray the expense of experiments on gun-barrels.
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