§ Sir E. Knatchbull,in presenting a Petition against any alteration in the Corn-Laws, took occasion to ask the right hon. Secretary opposite in what mode government intended to proceed, in bringing forward the question. He expressed his deep regret that the consideration of it had been so long postponed; for, if the right hon. Secretary for Foreign Affairs was too unwell to bring it forward speedily, it might have been done by the President of the Board of Trade. The subject was of the greatest importance, and the public mind was intensely interested in it. If the matter should, how-. ever, be brought forward at the time announced, he wished to be informed what was the course which the government meant to adopt? Did they intend to proceed by bill? or was it their intention to refer the matter to a committee of the whole House?
Mr. Secretary Peelsaid, that although he must decline giving any answer as to the nature of the measure which government intended to submit to the House, he had no objection to say that the course of proceeding which it was at present intended to adopt was, to move resolutions in a committee of the whole House, which resolutions would contain the plan in detail. If these resolutions should be agreed to, then the intention was, that they should be printed for the use of the members, and be re-committed on a future day, that gentlemen might have an opportunity of giving this important subject the fullest possible consideration.