§ Mr. C. Pallmerpresented a Petition from George Green, an owner of Hackney Coaches, against the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches, and complaining of a system of favouritism and monopoly.
Mr. Warburtonobserved, that considering there were a million of persons in the metropolis, it was monstrous and preposterous that public conveyances should continue in their present state. No coach, excepting Hackney Coaches, was allowed by law to carry passengers to any part of the town, unless it took its departure from a distance. He considered this a most monstrous regulation. It was impossible that such a state of things could continue, and that the public convenience should be thus needlessly sacrificed. He hoped that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would turn his early attention to the subject.
§ Mr. Humesaid, that it was nearly three years since almost a promise had been given that the state of the Hackney Coach Office should be investigated. Nearly 10,000l. a year might be saved by throwing the business into the Stamp Department.
§ Mr. Monckremarked, that while all the short stages had so materially improved within the last few years, Hackney Coaches had deteriorated, arising from the imbecility and misconduct of the Board.
§ Sir. J. Wrottesleygave notice that on the 13th May, he would move for a Select Committee, to inquire into the Duties, Salaries, and Emoluments of the Commissioners of Hackney Coaches; and into the present state of the public Carriages of the Metropolis.