Commons Sitting of 3 May 1811

CALEDONIAN CANAL.
The House having resolved into a Committee of Sup ply, to which the Accounts presented by Mr. Wharton on the 21st of April and on the 1st of May were referred; the following sums were voted:—30,000 l. for roads and bridges in the Highlands of Scotland,—40,000 l. for the Canal between the east and western coasts of. Scotland. Upon the question upon this vote
Mr. Abercrombywished to know whether there was any likelihood that this would be soon completed, or whether it was intended that this vote should be continued annually. This project was take up in the first instance for the purpose of affording employment to the Highlanders who for want of employment were emigrating to other countries; but he was informed, that in point of fact, the greater number of the labourers now employed, were from Shropshire.
The Speakerbelieved that he could answer the question of the hon. and learned gentleman. Though he bad himself no concern with the original projection of this work, he had no difficulty in saying, that from all the attention he had paid to the subject, and all the information he had received

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respecting it, he was led to entertain a favourable opinion of its utility. With respect to the progress which had been made in the execution of the work, he had to observe that it was reported to be half-finished in 1809, and consequently must be more than half finished at present. The grant proposed this year was 10,000 l. less than last year, which arose from the progress made in the work rendering a smaller expenditure necessary. The average number of persons employed was 7,000, but within the last six months that number had been reduced, lest the employment of so many labourers, on such an undertaking, should have the effect of raising the price of labour in the neighbourhood. An occurrence however had taken place within the last six weeks Which it might be desirable to state to the Committee, and it was this—that owing to the pressure of the times great numbers had been thrown wholly out of employment on the north-western parts of Scotland, of whom about 500 persons, who would otherwise have been destitute, obtained employment on this canal. He felt it due to the engineers to state that hitherto no unforeseen difficulties had occurred in the execution of the work. Any gentlemen who wished for information on this subject, would find in the fourth Report respecting it, a body of documents containing the opinions of the merchants of Liverpool and other mercantile persons as to the utility of the canal for commercial purposes, independent of the public advantage of facilitating the passage of frigates from the eastern to the western coast of Scotland. As to the description of persons employed, be should say that the result of an inquiry he had directed to be made on the subject shewed the number of persons from England employed in the work not to exceed twenty; and if his recollection served him right, he could state them to be only six.
The Resolution was then agreed to.

REPORT OF THE BULLION COMMITTEE.
Mr. Hornerrose, and stated, that in consequence of the postponement of the debate on the Bullion Report, he had availed himself of the interval to examine the Propositions of his right hon. friend (Mr. Vansittart), particularly so far as they related to facts, wherein they seemed to him to beat Variance with the evidence before the House. He had paid this attention to them, in order, that if House should
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come to a question upon them, he might be enabled to move some Amendments, to correct what he conceived the variance they contained from the evidence. With this view, he had reduced what appeared to him to be necessary to correct the misstatements of facts, into a plain statement, though he had not yet formed it into the technical shape of Resolutions to be submitted by way of Amendments. It might be for the convenience of gentlemen to be put this day in possession of the substance of his Amendments, and it was with that view he had risen to read the statements he had prepared to the House. He should only premise, that he had confined himself in this instance solely to facts; and where facts and doctrine were intermixed, he had taken care studiously to separate the facts from the doctrines. The hon. and learned member then proceeded to read the substance of the Amendments he had to propose, beginning with the fourth, and ending with the tenth of Mr. Vansittart's series of Resolutions. The hon. and learned gentleman then gave in his statement at the table, in order that it might be printed for the convenience of gentlemen. [For the said Amendments, see the Debate of the 15th instant.]

WESTMINSTER HUSTINGS AND POLL CLERKS BILL.
Mr. Luhingtonthought it desirable before the House proceeded further in the Westminster Hustings Bill, to ascertain the nature and extent of the responsibility attached to the office of High Bailiff of Westminster. He accordingly moved, that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the Office of High Bailiff of Westminster, and report upon the duties and burdens incident thereto.
Sir F. Burdettsupposed, that this proposed enquiry was intended to precede the enactment of a Bill upon the subject: but as he did not think that any enquiry could ultimately justify such a proceeding, he should vote against the appointment of the Committee. Any Bill such as had been proposed could only have the effect of raising the price of the office of High-bailiff of Westminster, and putting so much additional money into the pocket of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, without in any degree relieving the officer. The bailiff was indeed indemnified at present, as might be proved by the success of his action against him (Sir Francis) for the expence of the election, though he had been nominated without

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his desire, and returned without his consent. Against the principle of that decision, he must beg leave to protest. The learned judge (lord Ellenborough) thought, that when a member of parliament had the advantage of his seat it was but fair that he should bear the expence of his election. Now, though undoubtedly the learned judge might have had good reason for his decision, though he might personally have found his seat profitable and advantageous, still he (sir Francis) could not see any advantage to be derived from a laborious discharge of one's duty in that House.
Mr. Wynnexpressed his satisfaction at the motion, which he thought calculated to shew how the case stood. He thought that elections ought to be free of expence; but if expence must be incurred, it might, be suggested, be provided for by a rate on the city of Westminster.
After a few words from Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. Lushington, the motion was agreed to, and the Committee appointed. The second reading of the Westminster Hustings Bill was postponed to this day fortnight.