§ The House having resolved itself into a Committee, to take into consideration the Duty on Madder,
The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that the duty, as at present regulated, bore extremely hard on manufacturers of various descriptions. It, therefore, became necessary, particularly now, when a variety of new openings for the trade of this country presented themselves, that the duty should be regulated. In consequence of the fluctuation in the demand for this article under the present system, he was informed, that it varied in price, from 25s. to eight or ten guineas per cwt. It was his intention to propose a repeal of the duty as now collected, and to substitute one ad valorem. He was aware, that the latter mode sometimes gave rise to disputes between the public and the custom-house officer, as to the value of the article; but the rate he should propose was so moderate, as not to afford any temptation to the merchant to enter the article under its real worth. He should propose the sum of 5 per cent. on the value; and he did not 187 suppose that any person would think it worth his while to make a false entry, for the purpose of procuring a part of so trifling a sum. But even if the revenue were diminished in a small degree, it was more material that the important manufactures of cotton, wool, &c. should not be exposed to ruin by the want of this necessary article, than that the fear of an insignificant loss should induce them to continue the present duty. He then moved—"That it is the opinion of this committee, that the custom-duty at present payable on the importation of Madder, do cease; and, that in lieu of those duties 5l. be paid on every 100l. worth of Madder so imported."
§ Both Resolutions were agreed to.—The House then resumed.