In 1885, the House of Commons appointed a select committee "to inquire into the best method of National Provident Insurance." Several schemes were brought under the notice of the committee, but practically the inquiry resolved itself into an examination of a scheme propounded by the Rev. W. L. Blackley, the hon. canon of Winchester, the final paragraph of their report may be quoted:—

"Your committee, although unable to recommend the adoption of Canon Blackley's scheme, feel that they cannot conclude their report without recording their sense of the disinterested patience and energy with which he has laboured to remove the causes which tend page 7 to drive the poor into the workhouse. He has brought to light an immense deal of information on a subject which lies at the root of the happiness and welfare of large masses of the population, information which cannot fail to prove useful in any future legislation which may be undertaken, and, his proposals, though in the opinion of your committee they appear objectionable in some respects, and impracticable in others, contain more valuable suggestions, and seem to be based on more extended knowledge than any of the other schemes which have been brought under their attention."