HC Deb 19 May 1815 vol 31 cc0-275

House having resolved itself into a committee of the whole House, to consider of so much of the Act 39 and 40 Geo. 3, c. 67, for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, as relates to regulating the payment of duties of customs on foreign goods imported into Great Britain from Ireland, or into Ireland from Great Britain, and of the drawbacks on the exportation of goods, the growth, produce, or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, having been imported into either country from the other,

Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald

moved, "That the chairman be instructed to move the House for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the payment of the duties of customs on foreign goods imported into Great Britain from Ireland, or into Ireland from Great Britain, and of the drawbacks on the exportation of goods, the growth, produce, or manufacture of Great Britain or Ireland, having been imported into either country from the other."

Sir J. Newport

said, that he could not help thinking this Bill unnecessary, as the articles of Union made ample provision for the purpose alluded to; and he could not hesitate to pronounce it as extremely impolitic and unjust, if it were intended to interfere with those articles which ought to be held sacred with a view to preserve an harmonious connexion between the two countries. Nothing, indeed, was calculated to create more alarm, especially in Ireland, than to find those articles meddled with from time to time, as if they were mere statutable provisions, liable to be changed at the pleasure of the Legislature. But if any doubts existed upon the interpretation of those articles, he hoped that such doubts would be removed to the satisfaction of all parties.

Mr. Fitzgerald

stated, that his proposition was brought forward in consequence of doubts which arose upon this subject out of the construction of the Act of Union, the sanctity of which he could assure the right hon. baronet he was as anxious to maintain as any man.

Mr. Horner

deprecated strongly any Attempt to interfere with the articles of the Union, unless very grave doubts indeed existed as to their construction. For the letter of those articles should, on all occasions, be treated as the governing principle of the Legislature.

Mr. Fitzgerald

said, he was acting in conformity to the opinion of the counsel of certain public Boards, who entertained doubts upon this subject, with which doubts, however, he did not himself concur. Therefore he had no wish to press the Bill, as the doubts alluded to would probably be removed by a discussion in that House. But he trusted that no objection would be made to have the Bill brought in.

The Resolution was agreed to: the House resumed, the report was received, and leave was given to bring in the Bill.