Commons Sitting of 6 June 1805

MINUTES.
Sir Lawrence Parsons was sworn, and took his seat, on his re-election, after accepting the office of one of the commissioners of the treasury in Ireland.— Mr. Brooke presented petitions from 39,000 clothiers of the county of York; And from the clothiers of Somerset, Gloucester, and Wilts, in favour of the bill relating to their trade now before the house. Mr. Brooke observed, that the contests now existing had lasted for three years. What he wished was, an equitable arrangement between masters and workmen; he wished the law to be reduced to a compendious system, so that the masters and workmen may be able to understand it. Mr. H. Lascelles thought the present period of the session too late for introducing a bill of such magnitude; he thought arrangement necessary, and the subject of sufficient magnitude to engage the attention of government. Sir R Buxton and admiral Berkeley spoke to the same effect; the latter objected to the bill, as putting a stop to the use of all machinery. The petitions were ordered to lie on the table. —On the motion of sir C. Price, the report of the committee on the bill for the completion of the London docks was ordered to be re-committed to a committee of the whole house.—On the motion of Mr. Tierney, the further consideration of the report of the committee on the Camberwell Waterworks was put off till Monday.—On the motion of Mr. Baker, the bill for regulating contracts relating to the poor was re-committed. Some amendments were made in the committee, and the report ordered to be received tomorrow. Mr. Brooke moved that the bill for regulating the Woollen Manufacture be read a second time on Monday next.—Sir Robert Buxton moved as an amendment, that the bill be read a second
182
time this day three months. Mr. Brooke hoped the hon. baronet would withdraw his motion, in order that the opinions of gentlemen might be collected, for the purpose of preparing a bill of general arrangement against the next session. Mr. H. Lascelles wished the amendment to be withdrawn, with a view to turn the attention of his majesty's government to this subject, for the purpose of a complete arrangement early in the next session. Sir R. Buxton consented to withdraw his amendment. Admiral Berkeley consented to put off the second reading till Monday, with a view to ascertain the sentiments of government, but with the determination to move, that it should then be further put off till that day three months.—Mr. Creevey moved that the order for taking into consideration the petitions complaining of an undue election in the county of Middlesex be put off from to-morrow till to-morrow se'n-night. Ordered.—Mr. Huskisson wished, that, in consideration of the absence of the chancellor of the exchequer, from indisposition, the discussion on the Duke of Atholl's claims, with respect to the Isle of Man, should be put off till to-morrow. After some observations from lord Temple and Mr. Curwen, as to the length of time this affair had been pending, the further consideration was fixed for to-morrow.— On the motion of Mr. Whitbread, some additional accounts relative to balances in the hands of the receiver-general of the customs were ordered. Mr. Whitbread also moved, that there be laid before the house an account of the persons in whose names the navy and victualling bills funded in 1795 and 1796 had been written up at the bank; but on the suggestion of Mr. Long and Mr. Rose, he changed his motion into a notice for to-morrow.—Mr. Rose brought up the report of the committee on the Fish Bounty bill. On the motion of Mr. Vansittart, this report was ordered to be taken into further consideration on Monday.—On the motion of Mr. Vansittart, the committee on the Dublin Police bill was put off till to-morrow. It was ordered that the house should to-morrow resolve itself into a committee, to consider of certain grants for secret services in Ireland.—Mr. Sturges Bourne brought up the Loyalty Loan Compensation bill, and the bill for completing the Crinan Canal; which were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow; also the bill for defraying the charges of pay

183
and Clothing of the Militia of Great Britain and Ireland, the bills for Allowances to Subaltern Officers of Militia in Great Britain and Ireland, and the bill for the better collection of the Duty on Paper in Ireland.—On the motion of Mr. Foster, the house went into a committee to consider of the best means for improving the Harbour of Howth, near Dublin. A sum not exceeding 10,000l. Irish, wars ordered to be advanced out of the consolidated fund of Ireland for this purpose. The report to be received to-morrow.—The Irish Horse and Dog Duty bill was reported, and ordered to be read a third time on Monday.—On the motion of Mr. Huskisson, the house went into a committee on the Spanish Wine Duty bill. Mr. Brooke wished the additional duty on Spanish wine to be reduced from 12l. to 10l. a ton. Mr. Huskisson could not agree to this proposition, which was sisted by sir C. Price also, as unfavourable to the fair trader. Mr. Brooke's proposition was negatived, and the duty fixed at 12l. per ton. The report was ordered to be received to-morrow.—Mr. I.H. Browne moved that there be laid before the house a copy of the proceedings of the committee for making, roads in the Highlands of Scotland; which was agreed to.—The English and Irish Felons Escape bill went through a committee, and was ordered to be reported to-morrow.— A message from the lords announced their concurrence in several private bills; and also requested that the home would permit sir James Stewart, bart. and the right hon. sir John Stewart, bart. to attend the committee of the house of lords on Monday next, for the purpose of being examined on the address proposed to his majesty, relative to the charges exhibited against the hon. Luke Fox, one of the judges of the common pleas in Ireland, respecting his conduct on the circuit in the summer of 1803, if they thought proper. On the motion of Mr. Bankes, the lords' messengers were informed by the speaker, that the house would send an answer by its own messengers.

PADDINGTON CANAL COAL BILL.
On the motion of Mr. Huskisson, the house resolved itself into a committee on the report of the select committee, for allowing the importation of coal, to a certain extent, by the grand junction canal.
Sir Ralph Milbank disapproved of every thing that tended to diminish the working of the northern collieries. A diminution
184
of the shipping and seamen employed in conveying coals must follow. This trade was the best nursery of seamen, and the men engaged in it being accustomed to very dangerous seas and coasts, were particularly fitted for the most arduous services, as the best officers of the navy allowed.
Mr. Huskisson stated, that the limited conveyance of 50,000 tons by the Paddinging canal this year, was intended to enable the house to form a judgment whether the procuring a more certain supply of coals to London, in this way, is likely to be attended with any mischief to the coasting coal trade.
Sir M. W. Ridley said, the friends of the coasting coal trade were obliged to accede to the conveyance of this limited quantity, in the fear that the government would impose severer restraints upon them.
Mr. Burdon consented to go into the committee, but was sure this measure would prove completely inadequate.
Mr. Spencer Stanhope hoped the public discussion would take place in the next session. He did not think there would be a disposition to enlarge the quantity to be imported in this way, at a duty of 10s. 2d. per ton.
Mr. Huskisson moved, that 50,000 ton be allowed to be brought by the Paddington canal, paying a duty of 10s. 2d. per ton, being the duty now paid per chaldron on coals brought coastways. He stated, that the reason of charging the duty in this instance by the ton was, that the coals brought in this way were too large to be measured.—The motion was agreed to, and the report ordered to be received to-morrow.—Adjourned.