§ Lord A. Hamilton presented a petition from certain persons in the county of Lanark, praying that no alteration might be made in the Corn Laws.
§ On the question that it should lie on the table,
Mr. Baringtook that opportunity to express his hope, that the discussions on the subject of the corn laws would not be put off, as in the last session, until the middle of summer, when members were called upon to vote on a question which it was not possible to have time to digest. Considering the imperfect nature of the information hitherto obtained, and that 418 every thing of importance relating to the subject was yet to be learned, he hoped that some effectual measure would be adopted in good time.
Mr. W. Fitzgeraldsaid, that he had no difficulty in stating, in as far as he knew, what was likely to be done on the subject. An hon. friend of his, the member for Queen's county (sir H. Parnell), had been chairman of the committee; and it was at the desire of that hon. baronet, that all the accounts relating to the business had been moved for. When the matter had been discussed before the Christmas recess, it had appeared to every one, that it would be unfair and unwise to enter into the discussion in the absence of many of those members whom the subject most concerned. He knew that it was the intention of the hon. baronet to bring the matter under due discussion as soon as possible after the recess.
Mr. Baringsaid, what he thought necessary was, that there should be either a fresh committee, or that evidence should be taken at the bar on the subject.
Mr. W. Fitzgeraldsaid, that in the absence of the hon. baronet, he felt it impossible to say what course would be taken.