HC Deb 25 February 1824 vol 10 cc449-50
The Chancellor of the Exchequer

rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to continue the commission of Inquiry into the Public Revenue; that commission, which had been productive of so much advantage in Ireland, and was now so beneficially employed in England, in investigating all affairs of revenue between the two countries. In the course of his observations, he said he should be guilty of great injustice to a former commission appointed by the Treasury, at the head of which commission was his right hon. friend the paymaster of the Forces, if he did not mention with the encomium it deserved, their report, especially that part of it which related to the Customs. It was a tribute due to that commission to notice the activity and knowledge which they displayed in the report in question. The right hon. gentleman then moved for leave to bring in the bill.

Mr. Hume

asked, if it was the intention of those commissioners to direct their exertions to the same subject which had occupied them last year. There were many things in the Customs on this side of the channel which deserved their attention equally with the Customs of Ireland.

Sir C. Long

acknowledged the gratification which must be felt by himself and the other commissioners in receiving the tribute of praise which his right hon. friend had been pleased to pay to their labours. He was happy to say, that their exertions had been deemed most useful; every suggestion which they had made had been adopted with entire success. It was not for him to say whether their labours should be directed to the same subject again; but he was confident they would proceed with as much activity and perseverance as before wherever their exertions might be wanted.

Leave was given to bring in the bill.