HC Deb 23 February 1824 vol 10 cc301-3

Numerous petitions were presented from various parts of the country for the repeal of the Duties on Coal. Amongst others,

Mr. Alderman Wood

presented a petition signed by between 3,000 and 4,000 inhabitants of the city of London, against the unequal and unjust tax upon coals. He had already said so much upon the subject, that he should now only observe, that if these duties were not in the number of those which the chancellor of the Exchequer meant to give up, he should think it his duty to give notice for a committee on the subject, when he anticipated the support of those members who had already presented petitions against the tax.

Mr. Baring

said, that when the worthy alderman moved for the committee, he hoped it would be with a view of inquiring into the whole subject, as well the tax which was paid to the king as that augmentation of the price of coals which resulted from city management, and which, from the debates in the common council, he was led to believe amounted, by the charge of metage and the city regulations, to between 4s. and 5s. a chaldron.

Mr. Littleton

said, that when the time should come that this tax should be proposed for repeal, it would meet with his most decided opposition, unless it were a repeal of the most gradual nature.

Mr. Alderman Wood

said, the hon. member for Taunton had swelled the charge of metage, which was but 4d. to between 4s. and 5s. To the 118 meters already appointed, the corporation of London had appointed 40 more to facilitate the delivery of coals, and for which there would not be any addition of charge to the public.

Mr. Baring

observed, that he had not said, that the duties of metage amounted to 4s. or 5s. the chaldron, but that in consequence of the regulations adopted by the city, an additional 4s. or 5s. a chaldron was charged on the consumer.

Mr. Grenfell

said, it was a little too much, when petitions were pouring in from all parts of the country against these duties, for the hon. member for Staffordshire to rise and declare his opposition, because it would interfere with the interests of his constituents; as if the interests of the collieries of Staffordshire and Newcastle were to be every thing, and the interests of the consumers nothing.

Mr. Littleton

said, he had not stated, that he would oppose the repeal of the tax without qualification; but had merely stated, that he would oppose the measure, unless the repeal was attempted in the most gradual manner.

Sir M. W. Ridley

said, it was important that the whole subject should be inquired into, embracing the mode of delivery, both at Newcastle and London. Much blame had been thrown on the coal-owners in the north; but he would deny that they merited it. It was stated, that the supply was stinted, and kept lower than the demand; but from the returns for the last six months, it would be seen, that every market-day there was 120 or 130 ships at market, and only 50 or 60 sold.

Ordered to lie on the table.