HC Deb 28 April 1864 vol 174 cc1859-61

Order for Committee read.

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2 (Provisions of former Act to apply to this Act).

MR. CRAWFORD

moved the addition of a proviso reserving the right of the Corporation of the City of London, the fellowship porters, and other corporate bodies, to charge for the weighing of all grains rates equivalent to the present charges for the measuring of such grains.

MR. AYRTON

said, he was astonished that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should assent to a clause of this kind being smuggled into this Bill. It was an attempt to revive a duty that had formally been condemned by Committees of the House. The City did nothing for the money it received for measuring grain, and hitherto it never had the power to weigh grain. Already Committees of the House had reported against the City being allowed to retain these rights. The proposition was most extravagant, and he called upon the Committee to negative the proviso.

MR. ALDERMAN SIDNEY

said, the merchants of London were satisfied with the existing state of things, and the question did not so much affect the privileges of the City, as the means of livelihood of 1,500 or 1,600 fellowship porters, who were of great service to the trading community.

SIR JOHN SHELLEY

advised the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to mix himself up with what was likely to be a very pretty quarrel between the City and the rest of the metropolis. He rejoiced to find that grain was in future to be sold by weight. He thought the Chancellor of the Exchequer would do well to omit the clause, for if it passed, the deputy corn meters would be entitled to compensation.

MR. NORRIS

said, the metage of corn established by immemorial custom, and confirmed by charter of James I., was instituted for the purpose of enforcing justice between vendor and purchaser, and, as at present carried out, gave satisfaction. The matter was of sufficient importance to justify the moderate favour conferred by the clause.

MR. LOCKE

believed the City of London received £13,000 a year for the metage of corn, after paying for the metage. The meters paid for their offices, and were entitled to protection.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that he disclaimed any interference with the Corporation of London, except by separate and direct legislation; but if hon. Members desired to introduce a clause to preserve existing interests, he did not know that he should object to it, but he thought it should not be done in a Bill affecting the general interests of the revenue. They should make the proposition by a Bill on another day.

MR. CRAWFORD

consented to withdraw the proviso, at the same time announcing that he should adopt such other measures as might seem most desirable for the protection of the interests of his constituents.

Clause agreed to.

Remaining clauses agreed to.

Schedule C.

MR. HENNESSY

moved, by way of Amendment, the omission of that portion of it, under the operation of which a sailor might be charged a fee of £1 for a letter of attorney for the purpose of having his wages amounting to £10 drawn. That, he contended, was a provision which operated oppressively, seeing that an hon. Member of that House might draw out of the funds £10,000 under the operation of the same Schedule for a sum of 5s.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

hoped that, as no notice had been given of the Amendment, the hon. Gentleman would consent to raise the Question on the Report.

MR. HENNESSY

said, he would comply with that suggestion.

Amendment withdrawn.

MR. COX

gave notice that, on the bringing up of the Report, he would move that the property in possession of pawnbrokers, and the carriages and horses of jobmasters should be deemed stock in trade.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

approved the proposition as respected pawnbrokers, and moved the insertion of words to that effect; which was agreed to.

House resumed.

Bill reported, as amended; to be considered on Monday next, and to be printed, [Bill 82.]

    c1861
  1. UNION ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. 36 words
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