Mr. Bennet,in the absence of his right hon. friend (sir John Newport, who was prevented by illness from attending in his place), rose to move for a call of the House of which his right hon. friend had given notice. He said the present state of Europe, and the great number of important matters which claimed the attention of the House, and particularly the Bill for reviving the Property-tax, against which there had been more petitions than had ever been presented against any measure that was to engage the attention of the House, required that all the members who were not prevented by illness, or other unavoidable misfortunes, should be present. Those numerous petitions, indeed, more than any other cause, rendered this motion the more necessary, because it would thereby enable the people to ascertain which of their representatives attended to their complaints, and which did not attend to them, but in direct opposition to their sentiments supported a measure that had been shown to be so universally odious and obnoxious to the whole mass of the people. He concluded by moving, "That this House be called over on Monday next."
Lord Castlereaghagreed in thinking that in the present state of Europe, it was desirable that there should be the fullest attendance of the House. Adverting to several notices on the Order Book, if he might be permitted in his turn to put a question to an hon. and learned gentleman opposite, he wished to know whether he meant to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice, respecting Naples, on Tuesday next; and if he knew whether the motion of his hon. and learned friend respecting Genoa would come on upon Thursday next?
§ Mr. Hornerassured the noble lord, that he would generally obtain a prompt answer from himself or his friends. His hon. and learned friend (sir James Mackintosh) meant, as he understood, to bring forward his motion on Thursday next; and he himself should bring forward his motion respecting Naples on Tuesday next; and his motion respecting New Orleans the first open day.
Mr. Bennetwished to know in what manner, as to time, it was proposed to carry the Property-tax through the House? He was anxious it should be discussed in a full House.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer,under existing circumstances, thought the call 800 of the House justified,—a full attendance was desirable, on a variety of subjects. With respect to the Property tax, his should not have thought the call necessary solely on account of that measure; but at the same time he thought it proper that the sense of the House should be fully taken on it in one of its stages. He proposed that it should be read a second time that day, committed on Friday, and that the report on the third reading should be made, when the call would take effect.
§ The motion for the Call of the House was then agreed to.
§ On the order of the day for the second reading of the Property-tax Bill, sir M. W. Ridley said he opposed the second reading, and would oppose the Bill in every stage. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday.