§ Mr. Ellicerose to present a petition from the Ribbon-weavers and Silk-manufacturers of Coventry, against the proposed alteration in the laws relative to the Silk Manufacture. The petition had, he said, been in his hands some days, but had not been previously presented, through mistake. He presented it now for the purpose of availing himself of the opportunity of stating, that the leading men in the trade had received an explanation from the Treasury that morning, which gave them the most complete satisfaction. Those of Coventry had already left town with the determination of putting all their people into immediate active employment.
The House having resolved itself into a committee to consider of the Silk Bounties, Mr. Huskisson moved "That one half of the bounties on the exportation of silk manufactures shall be allowed on all such manufactures as having been warehoused, shall be taken out for home consumption within thirty days after the 5th of April 1824."
§ Mr. Ellicerepeated, that the deputation of silk manufacturers from the country, who had waited on the chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject, had returned home perfectly satisfied, and had considered themselves very liberally dealt with by his majesty's government. There was to be a meeting of silk manufacturers of the city of London that day, for the purpose of pressing on government, and on parliament, a further extension of time. Knowing what he did of the temper of the House, he had recommended the parties to desist from any such application; lest, should the matter be again brought under consideration, a curtailment, instead of an extension of time, should be the consequence. He 870 thought it was much better to let the matter stand as it was, especially as his majesty's government had certainly done every thing in their power to diminish the inconveniences which might result from the proposed measure.
§ Mr. Huskissonobserved, that undoubtedly he did not conceive that any proposition for a further extension of time would be favourably received by the House. In his own opinion, the time which had been granted, was not at all called for; but he had ceded it, in deference to the feelings of the parties interested, and with a view to conciliate, as much as possible, those who thought their interests might suffer by the measure.
Mr. Alderman Woodsaid, that some of the smaller dealers were under apprehension lest their goods must go through the hands of the great manufacturers.
§ Mr. Huskissonreplied, that every thing would be done that could be done to facilitate the matter. The goods would be received in parcels, and there would be only such precautions used as were necessary to ascertain that they were really new.
§ The resolution was agreed to.