§ Mr. C. Bullerbegged to put a question to the Speaker on a point of form connected with a subject of vast importance— the proposed Income-tax. The right hon. Baronet the first Lord of the Treasury had introduced the subject on Friday last. On Friday next he would ask the opinion of the House on a resolution with respect to the adoption of the Income-tax. Now, as the subject was of that kind which would render it desirable that the opinion of the country with regard to it should be known before the House came to any decision, he wished to ask the right hon. Speaker whether, ac cording to the forms of the House, if the House should agree in the first stage to receive the right hon. Baronet's resolution, it would be possible afterwards to receive any petition from the people against the adoption of the tax.
§ The Speaker,in reply to the question of the hon. and learned Gentleman, said that it was against the rules of that House that any petition should be received against any tax which had come under the consideration of the House; and therefore, after the right hon. Baronet had proposed his resolution, it would be impossible to receive any resolution against the tax in question.
§ Mr. C. Bullerwould put it to the right hon. Baronet opposite, whether, after the statement the House had just heard from the Chair, it was his intention to ask the House to give an opinion on the subject of the Income-tax next Friday, or whether he should allow some time for the expression of the opinion of the country upon the point?
§ Sir R. Peel:It is my intention to proceed with the resolution on Friday next.
§ Subject at an end.