Lord Binningsaid, he held in his hand a petition from the Distillers of Scotland, who prayed for an equalization of the duties of Irish and Scotch Spirits. Irish and Scotch distillation was now the same, but Irish spirits were allowed by a liberal intercourse to come into this country, whereas Scotch spirits were excluded. From something which had fallen from the chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of last session, the Scotch distillers were led to believe, that they should be allowed the same advantages; and he was therefore anxious to call the attention of the chancellor of the Exchequer to the subject, and he hoped the prayer of the petition would be acceded to.
Mr. Kennedysaid, he could not omit the opportunity of bearing his testimony, to the advantages resulting from the enlightened measure of last year; but he greatly feared, that, unless the remaining part of it were carried into execution, namely, the equalization of the duties, a system of smuggling would spring up between England and Scotland, which it would be difficult to put down. He, therefore, trusted that the same spirit which influenced the chancellor of the Exchequer, in the course of the last session, would induce him to place the distillation of both countries on the same footing.