§ Lord Patrick James Stuartpresented a Petition from the inhabitants of Cardiff, who, though favourable to the Reform Bill, complained of the injustice of being annexed, as a mere suburb, to Merthyr Tydvil, with which it had. no connexion, for the purpose of returning a Representative to Parliament. The petitioners stated, that the town of Cardiff was very populous, and the seat of perhaps the largest iron manufactory in the kingdom, and that it, together with the contributory boroughs, contained not less than from 450 to 480 10l. houses. It was proposed, by the Reform plan, that the franchise, and the right to return Representatives to Parliament, should, in the case of Cardiff, be shared with certain other towns and places in the county of Glamorgan—namely, Llandaff, Cowbridge, Merthyr Tydvil, Aberdare, and Llantrissent, of which Merthyr Tydvil contained a population of 25,000 inhabitants, which alone was so great as to enable that town to overwhelm the interest of Cardiff. The petitioners were, therefore, of opinion, that they ought to possess the privilege of returning a Representative for themselves. They also considered, that Merthyr Tydvil, containing a population of 25,000, was entitled to return a Representative of its own. He was of opinion, that that part of the Bill to which the petitioners alluded, would, if not amended, inflict an act of injustice on the petitioners.
Mr. Alderman Thompsonconfirmed the statement of the petitioners, that there was no natural connexion between Cardiff and Merthyr Tydvil; they were, in fact, 829 situated many miles apart. He had a petition from Merthyr Tydvil in his possession, in which it was stated, that great dissatisfaction would be felt by the inhabitants, if that town were to be associated with any other place, for the purpose of returning a Representative to Parliament. According to the principles of the Reform Bill, this town was entitled to have one Representative for itself. In 1821, it contained 19,000 inhabitants, and 680 10l. houses; and, at present, the population was bordering on 30,000, and the number of 10l. houses was 800. The petition which he had received, stated, that Representation was to be given to no fewer than twelve places, containing a much less population, fewer 10l. houses, than Merthyr Tydvil, and being much inferior to it in a commercial point of view.
§ Lord Althorpthought, that the subject would be discussed with more convenience when the question respecting Merthyr Tydvil came regularly before the Committee. He would only assure his noble friend (Lord P. Stuart), that if his Majesty's Ministers had been guilty of injustice towards Cardiff or Merthyr, the error proceeded from inadvertence, and not from intention.
Colonel Woodspoke against the union of Cardiff with Merthyr Tydvil; and gave notice, that, when the question came before the House, he should move, that Merthyr Tydvil have a Representative for itself.
Mr. J. L. Knightsaid, that Glamorganshire was an important county, both in an agricultural and commercial point of view, and he complained, that it was left, by the provisions of the Reform Bill, with only four Members, while a much larger proportion was given to Lancashire. By the proposed plan of joining Cardiff to Merthyr Tydvil, the former place would, as to Representation, be entirely extinguished.
§ Petition referred to the Committee on the Reform (England) Bill.