PUBLIC WORKS—GREAT BRITAIN. (Hansard, 26 July 1831)

Mr. Hume
said, before the present Government entered into office, he understood it was seriously intended to abolish altogether these Commissioners. The late Chancellor of the Exchequer had stated, that the necessity for all further advances had ceased. He wished, therefore, to be informed what new works were in progress, for which this grant was required. He did not think they ought to advance public money for such purposes, whilst so much floating capital was unemployed in the country.

§ Lord Althorp
said, the ground on which they applied for the grant was, to 385 afford means of employing the people on public works during the winter. It was not a measure of finance, or to supply the want of capital. Some of the money would be lent for the purpose of private speculation, or be employed in works not likely to make adequate returns. The main object was to make advances in those districts where distress most prevailed, and there only on the best security. No loss would, therefore, accrue to the public, but the result would, he hoped, be the contrary, for, by giving employment where the distress was greatest, they might hope to avoid the disastrous consequences of last year. It had been before stated, that there was an abundance of private capital to carry on all works that were likely to make adequate returns, without parliamentary assistance; but the object of the present grant was, to diffuse a large portion of capital among the labouring community, and no harm could ensue from giving this power to Government. He repeated, the advances would be made only on good security. If no applications were made, or good security were not tendered, the matter would remain just as it was.

Colonel Davies
understood the noble Lord had expressed alarm at the state of the country, from the want of employment to the labouring classes. He believed, and hoped, there was no occasion for such fears. There appeared ample employment, both in the manufacturing and agricultural districts, and therefore the grant was not necessary. The case was different with Ireland. The condition of that country afforded a fair occasion for such a grant, if proper security could be given.

§ Mr. Alderman Venables
assured the gallant Member, that no loss had hitherto occurred in the disposal of advances of the same nature as the present, and this was to be applied in the usual way.

§ Lord Althorp
begged to assure the gallant Officer, that he was under no fears for the state of the country generally, but it behoved the Government to be provident, to prevent the return of such evils as existed last year. The gallant Officer was certainly mistaken in asserting there was full employment in the agricultural districts. He had reason to fear, that there was no prospect of full employment being found during the ensuing Autumn and Winter, in those districts, and the object of Ministers, therefore, was, to give, persons 386 an opportunity of furnishing such employment by labour on public works generally, on the chance of profiting by the outlay, they giving such security that the public could sustain no loss from the money advanced to them.

Mr. C. W. Wynn
said, people would be more ready to engage in public works, when the money borrowed for carrying them on was to be repaid by instalments, and this he understood was to be the mode of repayment. The works to which it was proposed to apply the money, were useful, and the repayments to be made from the county rates, in a certain number of years. It was obvious this held out prospects of employment and benefit, which could not otherwise be obtained.

Mr. Paget
thought, these were not the measures required at present. The want of employment was certainly perilous in the agricultural districts, and the distress was increasing. The present undertaking was of too large a nature, and the small agricultural villages and districts, which most required relief, were not likely to see any of the money advanced by the Exchequer. There was no general work going on in such districts, and no means of diverting money into such interstices of society. The state of the agricultural classes was fearful, and threatened general ruin. Economy was the only mode of improving their condition. The people should be relieved from direct taxes—the weight of local taxation should be lessened, and all restrictions taken off which impeded enterprise. Without the utmost economy in every branch of public expenditure, no effectual relief could be afforded, and the issue of Exchequer Bills would have no beneficial effect.

§ Mr. Spring Rice
had observed, with great satisfaction, that the Gentlemen who composed the Commission, had discharged the important trust committed to them gratuitously, and with faithfulness and diligence, and the, public had hitherto been put to no expenses but for stationery, stamps, &c. No loss could accrue—but probably some advantages might. As an instance, he would mention the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal, the money for which would be advanced by way of loan, and a new stimulus created to continue useful public works, which otherwise might, stand still in the distressed districts.

Mr. Robert Gordon
was much gratified to hear the Commissioners had performed 387 their duty gratuitously. He perceived 500,000l. was to be advanced for the same purpose in Ireland, and he hoped the example set by the English Commissioners would be followed by the Irish. He should probably take an opportunity of again calling the attention of the House to this subject.

§ Mr. Spring Rice
said, when that opportunity arrived, he should be obliged to tell the hon. Member, that the duties of the two sets of Commissioners were not the same. In England they were merely deliberative, in Ireland they were deliberative and executive.