§ Mr. Wallacerose to move for leave to bring in a bill, to alter and amend the salt revenue laws. On a former occasion it had been stated to the House, that the number of prosecutions for breaches of the salt laws were numerous and severe; and that the number of compromises under these prosecutions, amounted to 3,000, for which large sums had been paid. From the papers which had been moved for on that occasion, it appeared, however, that the total number in three years was 13, the charge on which was 357l.; and that of this sum, 265l. had been exacted. The whole costs amounted to 128l., of which no more than 45l. had been received. This was the result of the numerous cases of hardship which were said to have taken place. He was anxious to point out to the House on what ground reflections injurious to the collection of the revenue were made. He knew the gentleman who was solicitor to the board of excise, and he could assure the House, that there was not any where a man less capable of abusing the power vested in him. There were twenty-four points on which he intended to introduce amendments in the salt revenue laws. He would mention two or three of them to the House. First, he intended that the bonds given by persons using salt should be cancelled after a certain period. With respect to conveying salt coastwise, such regulations would be adopted as would at once protect the revenue and the individual. Such alterations would also be made, as would enable poor fishermen and persons residing on the coast to lay up food for their families. He was aware that great benefits might be derived from the use of salt on land; and that the difficulty with which it was to be procured, more than the price of the article, was the cause why it was not more used; by the bill he was about to introduce, it was provided that depots should be established in different quarters of the country, where salt could be had at a moderate rate. The bill was one of details, and he thought it would be better to discuss its different points in committee. He did not mean 362 to have it hurried through the House; so that gentlemen would, when it was printed, have an opportunity of considering it at their leisure.
§ Mr. Calcraftwas happy to find that remedies were to be applied to the grievances complained of. He was not present when a motion was last made on this, subject; but if he had, he would have felt it his duty to oppose that motion. With respect to the solicitor of the excise, he could say, that as far as he had the pleasure of knowing him, he was as honourable and upright a man, as any in the community. He would attend to the bill in its different stages, and he had no doubt but great benefit would be derived from it to the public. As long as it was necessary to continue this tax, the excise laws to be effective must be vigorous.
§ Mr. Tremaynehoped the fisheries would be relieved from the heavy obstructions that now existed against their making use of salt.
§ Mr. D. W. Harveysaid, that the returns which had been read by the hon. member, stated that the prosecutions and compromises under the excise laws had been few, and the expences comparatively trifling. It gave him pleasure to hear this; but he was surprised that those returns on one part of the question had been furnished, while others had been refused. In a few days he would take an opportunity of moving for some other documents on this subject.
§ Leave was given to bring in the bill.