§ The House then resolved itself into a Committee of Ways and Means; and the annual taxes on malt, pensions, sugar, tobacco, and snuff, were granted, towards raising the Supply.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, that the tax on sugar, consisting at present of three distinct duties, was productive of great inconvenience. At present, also, the drawbacks on sugar exported were charged on the consolidated fund, which caused an apparent diminution of that fund, and a correspondent increase on the sugar duties. This, though of no disadvantage to the public, produced a prejudicial inaccuracy in the accounts. He, therefore, gave notice, that he should during the present session propose some measure to remedy these defects.
§ The House then removed.