HC Deb 02 March 1824 vol 10 cc650-1
Mr. Stuart Wortley

said, he rose to present a petition to which he begged the attention of the House generally, and particularly that of his right hon. friend, the chancellor of the Exchequer. In the exposition which his right hon. friend had made last Monday week of the financial state of the country, he had expressed an intention of relieving the Wool duties by a reduction of sixpence to one penny, and at the same time of allowing the free export of English wool. On the latter part of that proposition, he had taken the opportunity of expressing to his right hon. friend his opinion the next day. He now held in his hand a number of petitions signed by 12,500 of his constituents, praying the interposition of that House, against any such measure being carried into effect. These petitioners, amongst other allegations, stated, that the long wool was the exclusive growth of this country, most essential to our own manufactures, and they pray that it may not be permitted to be exported; but that if the House should differ from them, that they at least should be heard by counsel. A law which had existed for centuries should not be changed, without allowing the parties whose interests were affected, an opportunity of stating their case before a committee of that House. He considered that the proposed measure began at the wrong end. Before we opened the export we should have relieved the raw material from all duties.

Ordered to lie on the table.