Commons Sitting of 12 February 1818

COVENTRY RIBBON WEAVERS.
Mr. P. Moore, in presenting a Petition from the Ribbon Weavers of Coventry, took occasion to observe upon the merit and suffering of the petitioners, who, as the law stood at present, were precluded from making such arrangements among themselves as were necessary to ensure a due remuneration for their labour. Even when in full work, the earnings of these poor industrious men were known to be comparatively inadequate; but when trade was slack, they were so very distressed that they were under the necessity of applying for relief from the poor-rates. Thus the poor-rates of the inhabitants of
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Coventry were considerably augmented, for the maintenance of those, the profits of whose labour were enjoyed by others, who contributed nothing towards those poor-rates.—Under such circumstances, he trusted that no man of feeling or consideration would be found to oppose the objects which the petitioners had in view, and which were, first, to remedy the evil resulting from the existing law with respect to apprenticeships; and, secondly, to enable the petitioners to settle the rate of their wages among themselves.
Mr. Dugdalesaid, that from the circumstances which came to his knowledge as a magistrate of Warwickshire, with respect to the condition of the petitioners, he thought their case peculiarly entitled to the attention of the House. He could not at present express any opinion as to the nature of the remedy proposed by the petitioners; but he felt it his duty to vote for referring the petition to a committee, convinced that the subject was worthy of consideration.
The Petition was referred to a committee.

BANK TOKENS.
Mr. Curwensaid, he thought it right to state to the House a circumstance which had just come to his knowledge, and which appeared to suggest the expediency, as well as the means of facilitating the transport of Bank Tokens to London. He understood that those tokens might be had in the country at one per cent under their nominal value. On these terms they were now buying up by speculators, with a view to obtain gold for them at the Bank, which gold could be exported at a profit. From this fact, it was obviously the interest of the Bank to appoint an agent in each of the principal towns in the country, with a view to collect these tokens, and also to save its gold, which was surely a consideration of some importance, at a period when it was proposed to extend the Bank Restriction act, in order to prevent the export of bullion. It was, besides, the duty of government as well as of the Bank, to adopt some measures to save the labourers and other poor holders of those tokens from the necessity of selling them, at a loss, in consequence of their inability to convey them to London.

SURGERY PRACTICE REGULATION BILL.
Mr. Courtenay Mr. Courtenay moved for leave to bring in bill for the better regulation

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of Surgery throughout the United Kingdom. The objects of the bill were, first, to provide that no one should be allowed to practise surgery without a testimonial from some of the regular colleges of the United Kingdom; secondly, that no more pecuniary fee should be demanded for such testimonial than had heretofore been usually paid; and, thirdly, that the laws should be repealed which precluded any surgeon from officiating in the hospitals and dispensaries of Ireland who had not obtained a testimonial from the college of surgeons in that country. Such being the provisions of a measure, the necessity for which, with a view to save the people from the danger of unskilful practitioners, was indisputable, he trusted that no opposition would be made to his motion.
Mr. Lockhartexpressed an opinion, that if this bill originated with the surgeons, it must have a monopoly in view. The effect of it would be, to injure a profession which ought to have too much pride, to entertain any apprehension of the competition of pretenders.
The motion was agreed to.

EXCHEQUER BILLS.
The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the Exchequer Bills bill,
Mr. Grenfellsaid, that from some circumstances which had come to his knowledge, he felt it necessary to put a question to the chancellor of the exchequer. A report having prevailed last week in the city, that it was the intention of the right hon. gentleman to propose this session the funding of exchequer bills, and that what were called the twopenny halfpenny bills would be preferred, he understood that on Saturday last a communication was made to the Stock Exchange by the person who usually made known there the intentions of the Treasury, that it was not proposed, on funding exchequer bills, to grant a preference to any particular description of those bills, but to take those that were to be funded out of the general mass. Hence, an impression prevailed in the city, that it was the intention of the right hon. gentleman to fund a considerable number of exchequer bills. He did not wish for any information from the right hon. gentleman as to any part of his financial plan, which might not yet be matured; but, understanding that it was the intention of the right hon. gentleman, in all events, to fund a quantity of ex-
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chequer bills, he requested him to state whether such was the fact. Because, if such were the purpose of the right hon. gentleman, that purpose should have immediate publicity, in order to put an end to the uncertainty, and gambling speculations, which at present prevailed in the city.
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, he had already notified to the House, that it was not his intention to bring forward any part of his financial plan before Easter; and he trusted it would not be thought improper on his part to decline any premature or partial disclosure of that plan. With regard to the communication to the Stock Exchange, the hon. member alluded, he presumed, to that made by the broker of the commissioners for redeeming the National Debt. The fact was, that, understanding a general expectation prevailed, that if exchequer bills were funded, a preference would be given to those bearing an interest of 2½d. a day, he gave directions to have it made known, that if any funding of exchequer bills should take place, no such preference was intended.
Alderman Atkinsexpressed a wish, that the right hon. gentleman would favour the House with somewhat more of explanation, in order to remove the uncertainty that prevailed. For his own-part, he could not think it desirable to fund any exchequer bills, and so to diminish the floating capital of the country. For how could it be politic to take a measure which must operate to reduce the price of stock? Government could raise money at less than 3 per cent, in consequence of the present price of stock; whereas if that price fell eight or ten per cent, it could not have money under 4 per cent. Such a fall would, he apprehended, be the result of funding, at present, a great quantity of exchequer bills. Another report prevailed, that it was the intention of the right hon. gentleman to propose the raising of a loan for the purpose of buying up the 5 per cents, and this was a plan which he must also deprecate. But at all events, he thought that no danger could result from the right hon. gentleman's explaining what were his views upon the points alluded to.
The Chancellor of the Exchequerhoped the House would feel the propriety of his silence with regard to the financial plan to be submitted to its consideration, until that plan was fully matured—until,

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indeed, he was actually proposing to have it carried into effect.
Mr. Grenfellapproved of the intention of the right hon. gentleman not to make any premature disclosure of his financial plan. His only object in putting a question to the right hon. gentleman was, to do away the impression in the city, that he had finally made up his mind as to the funding of exchequer bills.
The Bill went through the committee.