HC Deb 23 January 1812 vol 21 cc319-20
Sir J. Newport

had intended bringing before the House a motion for extending the provision of the 50 Geo. 3, ch. 85, regulating the taking of securities in offices in England, to all parts of the kingdom; but as he understood the subject was to be brought forward by another hon. gentleman, he should defer his motion for the present. He would now, however, call the attention of the House to another subject, of which he had given notice. The right hon. gentleman then, after a few appropriate observations, moved for leave to bring in a Bill "to exempt from payment of any duty on legacies all bequests for the education or maintenance of any poor children, or for the support of widows or other poor persons, or for the support of any charitable institution, within the united kingdom; and also from the payment of the duty on advertisements any advertisement or notice of any meeting to be held for such charitable purposes, or of the receipt of subscriptions or donations on such account."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

entertained a doubt as to the principle and policy of the regulations of the right hon. hon. baronet. It was not advisable to recognise the policy of encouraging bequests of the description alluded to, because any person on his death-bed might give to a charity that portion of his property which his immediate relations were entitled to. The legislature was not called on to administer to the wishes of such persons. These persons might be surrounded by those whose interest it was to induce the testators to will their property to the prejudice of their relations and nearest of kin. With respect to the publishers of newspapers, they undoubtedly charged what they conceived necessary for the insertion of advertisements relating to public charities, and to interfere with them was improper. The whole of the suggestions of the right hon. baronet, if attended to, would be accompanied by such inconvenience, that the measure would produce no benefit, but must be both inexpedient and disadvantageous.

Sir J. Newport

did not wish pertinaciously to press a measure which he had thought it his duty to bring forward, as the right hon. gentleman was not disposed to concur with him.

The motion was then put and negatived without a division.