HC Deb 04 March 1806 vol 6 cc347-9
Mr. Wilberforce

presented a petition of the manufacturers of Woollen Cloth in the county of York, setting forth, "that from the great increase in the manufacture of Woollen Cloth in the said county, and the very different methods of manufacturing the same, by machinery and otherwise, the acts now in force respecting Woollen Cloth are very inadequate to regulate and direct the same; and therefore praying, that leave may be given to bring in a bill for the better regulating and directing the trade and manufacture of Woollen Cloth in the said county." The hon. gent. stated that though the signatures to it were few in number, yet those represented a very numerous body, and might be called the domestic manufacturers of the Country. He wished to apprise the house, that it was a distinct petition from that presented on the part of the finishers, and others; and, he had to say, in behalf of the petitioners, that they only wished for the patient attention of parliament, and would then be content with any measures the legislature, in its wisdom, might think proper to adopt.—Ordered to lie on the table.

Mr. Peter Moore

presented a petition on the same subject, from the Cloth Workers of York and Lancaster. He hoped that as the hon. gent. (Mr. Wilberforce) had said a few words in favour of his own petition, he would also say something in favour of the petition which he held in his hand. This petition had been presented for three years successively, and last year it was put off upon an understanding that the subject was to be seriously investigated by the ministers. The change, however, which took place, had prevented the desired effect from this circumstance. But, however, the present ministry had agreed to take the affair into consideration, and he, was now authorised to state, that this petition was brought forward with the sanction of office.

Lord Temple

expressed the wishes of ministers to afford every facility possible to the steps that might be taken for the settling of this business. It had engaged the attention of the privy council, and it had occurred to them that another bill should be brought in to continue the suspension of the present regulations, with a view to bring in a bill as soon as possible, to fix the proper regulations. In his opinion one bill would not answer the purpose.He thought that different bills would be requisite, according to the various points to be settled.

Mr. H. Laseelles

expressed his satisfac- tion at what had fallen from the noble lord. It always appeared to him that the various points embraced in this business could not be properly settled without the authority of government, and this therefore was a course of proceeding which he had always recommended. He was doubtful, however, whether the matter could be finally settled in the course of the present session. There were a great variety of points to be considered, such as the difference in the quality of the articles, the machinery, and the 7 years apprenticeship required at present from those who exercised the trade. He would give no opinion now on that head, but he hoped that the whole would be minutely examined when the bills came to a committee. The. Woollen Clothiers of York had not as yet been heard on this subject, though others had enjoyed that advantage. He was earnestly desirous that this business might be soon and completely settled.

Mr. C. Brooke

said, he was so sensible of the necessity of some effectual regulations, that he was willing to give every assistance in his power towards a revision of all the laws upon the subject.

Mr. H. Lascelles

wished lo submit whether it would not be proper to appoint a committee for revising the laws relating to the Woollen Manufacture in general?

Earl Temple

replied, that he did not know of any objection to it.

The Speaker

thought it might be right to remind them, that the practice of the house with the view of convenience, in such cases was to appoint a committee of revision, in preference to bringing in a number of different bills.—The petition was then ordered to lie on the table; as was also another petition to the same effect, from the Cloth Workers of Wilts, Somerset, and Gloucester.