§ Mr. Hume,adverting to the statement made by the chancellor of the Exchequer respecting the duties on exciseable articles in the course of the last year, observed, that a noble lord, in another place, had been in the habit, for some years, of introducing a statement of the duties on those articles, whenever they were on the increase. But, whenever they were diminished, no statement appeared. Now, what he wished to have was, a clear account of the produce of the duties on all exciseable articles, for a series of years—say ten, in order that the effect of certain legislative measures, in increasing or in diminishing their amount, might be distinctly ascertained. He was also desirous of having a similar return respecting the Custom duties, under a certain limitation. The hon. gentleman then moved, that there be laid before the House an account of the several articles, charged with the duties of Excise for the last ten years; distinguishing the British and West-India from the East-India sugar; stating the amount of duty levied on each article, and the quantity of articles each year; and, also, distinguishing Great Britain from Ireland.
At the suggestion of the chancellor of the exchequer, Mr. Hume omitted the distinction in his motion respecting sugar, and it was then agreed to; as was, also, a 452 similar account of the Customs duties, with reference to all articles on which the amount of those duties exceeded 50,000l.