The Chancellor of the Exchequerrose to call the attention of the House to a motion he intended to submit to their consideration on Monday, and which at this moment was particularly interesting to the country. Aware that the mere notice of that motion, without any introductory remarks, might excite some alarm, he felt himself bound to give a general account of what he intended that day. On Monday next it was his intention to move that in a committee of the whole House, his majesty shall, by a resolution of the committee, be authorized to issue exchequer bills to a certain amount, for the relief of the public distress, on security being given. This motion was intended for the relief of the labouring poor. He should propose, that the money be allotted partly to corporations to enable them to employ labourers in finishing public works, and in this instance security would be required for the repayment of the money in a given time. Other parts of the money would be given to parishes and associated bodies, on securities being given on the parish rates, and also by individuals. It was not meant however, that such money should be employed in what might abstractly be called distress, for the great object his majesty's ministers had in view, was the finding of employment for the poor, which indeed was the most rational and satisfactory way of giving relief. In order to prevent any unnecessary alarm, the sum he meant to propose would be between one and two millions, and he thought this could be no inconvenience to the money market. The right hon. gentleman concluded by giving notice, that he should on Monday move for the House to resolve itself into a committee, to consider of enabling his majesty to authorize the issue of Exchequer Bills to an amount to be limited, for purposes of local and temporary relief, upon due security given; the Prince Regent's recommendation being signified.
The Hon. W. Lambsaid, he would not enter into the details of the plan, as they were not yet before the House; nor would he attempt to decide upon the effect it would produce on the money-market; but there was one point of view in which it deserved the most serious consideration, and that was, whether it was to be considered as a means of temporary relief, or a substitute for all those other measures which were rendered necessary for remedying the evils which had arisen out of the system under which we had been so long acting. He hoped this plan of the right hon. gentleman was not the only one. He did not deny the propriety of this step, but he would protest against any reliance on its sufficiency. The subject was now pressed upon us by necessity; we saw the calamity under which the country laboured we should not rest satisfied with palliatives, but should go at once to the root of the evil, and endeavour permanently to counteract its malignity, rather than apply temporary remedies.
§ Mr. Broughamprofessed himself desirous to abstain from all discussion of the measure. He wished, however, that the chancellor of the exchequer would take one thing into consideration before he attempted to carry it through the House. As far as he understood him, his object was to grant an issue of exchequer bills to corporations or associations for the relief of the poor on their securities, recommending them to employ the poor in public works. With respect to bodies corporate he would say nothing, nor would he give any opinion about the propriety of the advance to them. He, however, entreated the chancellor of the exchequer to consider what would be the effect of placing such means of relief, at the disposal of associations of private gentlemen, at the same time requiring from them such securities as may be necessary to protect the public interest. The measure would place those gentlemen in the most delicate and embarrassing situation with regard to their poorer neighbours. As soon as any of the suffering poor began to reflect on their relation to the more wealthy, and saw that they procured no relief from them. Would they not say, "government has placed the means of assistance within your reach, and we are starving, because you are so hardhearted as to refuse your securities for advances that might relieve us, without injury to yourselves?" If they came forward on this remonstrance, they would render them- 1313 selves liable to the process of extent; if they did not so expose their property, they would render every poor unemployed man their personal enemy. He did not deny that this objection mightbe answered, but he threw it out for the attentive consideration of the right hon. gentleman.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerobserved, that one object of the plan was, to advance money to associations of individuals, and another to make these advances to public bodies. It was not intended that they should be made to single individuals for any purpose connected with the measure in question. The first object would embrace the support and encouragement of public works under certain limitations, and upon full security for the repayment of the money; the persons furnishing that security to take a counter-security upon the parochial funds.
§ Mr. Broughamsaid, he had accurately understood the right hon. gentleman. The persons to whom any advance of the public money should be made, would clearly render themselves liable to an extent whilst the parish funds might or might not be solvent.
§ Mr. Lytteltonapprehended, that very great difficulties would present themselves in carrying the proposed measure into effect. In the district with which he was best acquainted, the security of the poor-rates would be no security at all. He thought Monday was too early a day for entering upon the discussion of this question, as it was important to make various inquiries previously in many parts of the country.
Mr. Ponsonbysaid, it appeared that those to whom advances were to be made, were by the proposed measure to become liable to exchequer process, with no indemnity but the poor-rates. He thought some farther delay was absolutely necessary before the House decided on so new and important a subject.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerintimated, that he was desirous of laying his statement as early as possible before the House; after which, some future day might be appointed for taking it into consideration.