§ Mr. George Smythewished to ask a question of the First Lord of the Treasury, which was of importance to a large class of persons. It was, whether it was the intention of the Government only to reduce, or altogether to take off, the duty on Sperm Oil.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, the duty on sperm oil was not to be given up at once, but the Government did intend to provide for ultimately relinquishing that duty; but they would postpone it to such a period as not to interfere injuriously with existing interests. He might as well state now, that after the 5th of January, 1849, the duty on sperm oil would cease. [Laughter.]
§ The House in Committee of Ways and Means, Mr. Greene in the Chair,