HC Deb 12 August 1831 vol 5 cc1256-7
Mr. Heywood

presented a Petition from the Mechanics' Institution of Bolton, praying, that as shortly as possible after the passing of the Reform Bill, measures might be adopted to remove the duties on paper, upon advertisements, and the other Taxes on Knowledge. The hon. Member expressed his entire concurrence in the prayer of the Petition.

Mr. Wilks

must also support the prayer of the Petition. He hoped Government would afford every facility to the acquisition of useful knowledge to the working classes, for in proportion as the people possessed constitutional rights, they ought to be furnished with the means of enabling them to exercise these rights intelligently, which would materially contribute to the advantage of the country. The taxes of which the petitioners complained, were already evaded to a great extent, and he was persuaded their repeal would be beneficial to the public, without material injury to the revenue.

Petition to be printed.

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