§ Mr. Ker ,seeing a noble lord in his place, wished to refer to him for information respecting the property tax. He was aware that formerly foreigners had not contributed to this tax. As there were many however of that description who had an interest in the funds of this country, and as that tax was made to fall so heavy on the subjects of this country, he wished to know if the noble lord had it in design to make any exemptions in their favour, or to include them under the general tax? That the house 932 might have a proper understanding on this subject, and know the amount and value of those exemptions by comparing them with those under the former tax; he would move for a document which he thought highly necessary for the information of the house. The hon, member then moved, "that there be laid before the house, an account of the amount of all exemptions in favour of foreigners, in respect of the duty on stock in any of the funds of G. Britain, or on dividends in the East-India or South-Sea companies."
§ Lord H. Pettydid not oppose the production of the paper, but thought it would be unfair to lay a tax on those who were not represented in that house, and that it would be equally contrary to the rules of sound policy.
Mr. Rosethought the hon. member's motion ought to have been for an account of the stock held by foreigners in the different funds of this country, as in that case the amount of the exemptions would be easily calculated. would object to any measure leading to subject foreigners to the operation of the property tax; not however, on their account, but on our own, as it must be obvious that the consequence of such a measure would be their withdrawing their property to the funds of other countries in Europe, a circumstance that was not at all desirable for this country.
§ Mr. Franciscould see no danger of that sort, nor did he know any other country in which they could lodge their money with equal security. He thought, that upon every principle of justice, the property of foreigners ought to contribute to the expence of its protection. Besides, this distinction would impose an. additional difficulty in the collection of the tax, as it would not be easy to ascertain what part really belonged to foreigners.
§ Mr. Huskissonsaid, that foreigners might withdraw their money and place it either in the Irish bank or in the American funds.—The motion was then agreed to.