§ Mr. Tierneywished to ask of the chancellor of the exchequer a question of considerable importance. He did not know whether he was or was not rightly informed, but he had been told, that certain duties were levied on the merchants at Gibraltar, for the payment of particular charges; after defraying which, a large surplus remained which was transmitted to this country. Now he desired to know, by what authority those duties were levied, and to what account the surplus was placed when it arrived in England?
The Chancellor of the Exchequersaid, the duties were imposed to answer a variety of charges, and, he apprehended, these being answered, the surplus belong- 464 ed to the Crown, when remitted to this country.
§ Mr. Tierney—I ask under what authority are these duties collected? and by what authority are they considered the exclusive property of the Crown?
The Chancellor of the Exchequer—I have not looked particularly into the subject; but ever since the capture of Gibraltar, the revenue of that place, as well as of other fortresses, has been vested in the Crown.
§ Mr. Tierney—Then the right hon. gentleman does not know by what authority the merchants at Gibraltar are liable to the payment of certain duties. All he can say is, that the amount of those duties, not applicable to the payment of particular charges there, are appropriated to the use of the Crown.