§ The order of the day for the House going into Committee on the Duchy of Cornwall (Tin Duties) was moved.
The Earl of Falmouthsaid, that this bill had originated in consequence of the course which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had very fairly thought it his duty to pursue with respect to the dutie on foreign tin. He (the Earl of Falmouth) had nothing to do with the origin of the bill, and desired that it might be distinctly understood that he washed his hands of all responsibility attaching to it; but finding that the Government was determined to carry this joint measure into execution, he felt it his duty to look to the protection of the mines of Cornwall, and therefore he had communicated with and taken a part in various committees which had sat in London having that object in view. The course which he should pursue with respect to this bill would depend very much on the answer he should receive from the noble Viscount at the head of the Government as to a certain declaration which he understood had been made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in another place, namely, that this measure was by no means to be considered as a final measure; for if it should not appear that a duty of 15s. per hundred-weight would not allow a sufficient free trade, he should be prepared next year to propose a still further alteration. He could only say, that the gentlemen of Cornwall had never contemplated anything of that kind, but they thought that the duty having been fixed at 15s. per hundred-weight the question was settled, and not liable to be re-opened again in future years. The prosperity of the tin mines in Cornwall was not a matter of mere provincial interest, but of national importance, and the effect of their stoppage would be not only ruinous to the county, but injurious to the general prosperity of the country.
Visconnt Melbournesaid, that he believed all that had been stated in another place by the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer was in answer to an observation which had been made, that the duty was too small; if it should be found to be so, it might be made larger. It was impossible that any protecting duty could be unalterably and unchangeably fixed for ever: that was contrary to the nature of things, and beyond the power of human legislation. He trusted that the measure would be found to work so satisfactorily as to allay all the apprehensions which seemed to prevail concerning the result.
§ Bill committed and reported without amendments. Ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
§ The House then adjourned at half-past ten.