HC Deb 02 February 1807 vol 8 c604

Lord Euston, chairman of the Saltash Election committee, reported, that that committee had been prevented from proceeding on the investigation of the matters given in charge to it, on Friday and Saturday last, in consequence of the absence of A. Robarts, esq. one of its members; that this day Mr. Robarts did attend, and the committee had proceeded to business as usual. Doctor Bailey stated at the bar, that Mr. Robarts's absence was occasioned by indisposition; and Mr. Robarts was excused for having absented himself on the above-mentioned days.—Mr. Yorke as chairman of the Weymouth Election committee, reported that the sitting members were duly elected, and that the petition against them was not frivolous or vexatious.—Sir G. Heathcote, chairman of the Maldon Election committee, reported that Mr. L. Hughes, a member of the said committee, had absented himself, on the ground that his presence was necessary in the country, in consequence of the alarming indisposition of his father. Sir R. Williams deposed to his belief of the fact, and Mr. Hughes was excused from further attendance; and the committee empowered to proceed without him.—On the motion of Lord Howick, the thanks of the house were voted to the Rev. Frederick Barnes, the Chaplain, for the excellent sermon preached before the house, at St. Margaret's Church, on Friday. Mr. Barnes was requested to print the same.—On the motion of Mr. Vansittart, the house went into a committee on the acts relating to the mutual Importation of Spirits between Great Britain and Ireland. Mr. V. adverted to the act of union which had wisely provided that all articles of the growth and produce of either country, should be received in the other, on paying the same charges as were paid on the home production of the same kind. The drawbacks on the spirit intercourse between England and Ireland had been regulated on this principle. But the duties being lower in Scotland than in England, advantages had been taken in consequence, which went to defraud the revenue in England, and to impede the distilleries in Ireland. With a view to correct these evils, he should move, that the chairman be instructed to move for leave to bring in a bill to suspend, for a time to be limited, the drawbacks on the mutual importation of spirits between Great Britain and Ireland; and also to suspend the countervailing duty on the importation of the Irish spirits into Scotland, so as to give the Irish distiller a fair competition with the Scotch and English. The chairman reported, and leave was given to bring in a bill accordingly.—Lord Folkestone gave notice, that to-morrow he would move for leave to bring in a bill to constitute into a law the regulation of the house for giving notice to parties in cases of Controverted Election.—Mr. Rose gave notice, that on Wednesday he should move for certain financial papers, calculated to afford information which was requisite to satisfy doubts which were entertained as to the first Financial Resolution submitted by the noble lord opposite, on Friday. In answer to lord Henry Petty, Mr. Rose stated that the accounts he wished for were intended to show the quantity of certain articles imported before the commutation.