HC Deb 01 July 1831 vol 4 cc597-8
Lord Althorp

then proposed the following Resolutions:— "1. That the additional duties payable on barilla, in respect of the quantities of soda or mineral alkali contained therein, be repealed; and that such repeal shall be deemed to have taken effect from the 28th day of May, 1819.

"2. That the additional duties payable upon natural alkali, imported from places within the limits of the East-India Company's charter, in respect of the quantities of soda or mineral alkali contained therein, be repealed; and that such repeal shall be deemed to have taken effect from the 10th day of August, 1828.

"3. That all the duties paid on barilla, used in bleaching of linen, between the 5th day of January, 1830, and the 5th day of January, 1831, be drawn back.

"4. That the duties payable on barilla, and also the duties payable on natural alkali imported from places within the limits of the East-India Company's charter be 2l. the ton; and that the same shall be deemed to have taken effect from the 14th day of December, 1830."

Sir George Clerk

objected to these Resolutions, as involving the interest of the kelp manufacturers, who were starving, from the ruin of their trade.

Lord Althorp

said, that the decay of their manufacture was caused by the improvement in the manufacture of what was called "British Alkali from salt."

Mr. J. T. Hope

hoped, that the distress of the kelp manufacturers would excite the attention of Parliament.

Mr. Ewart

confirmed Lord Althorp's statement, and said, that no duty on foreign barilla could now be of service to the kelp manufacturers.

Resolutions agreed to.

Lord Althorp

then proposed a Resolution, that a duty of thirty per cent be imposed upon all wax imported into the country.

Mr. Dixon

objected to the proposition. It was imposing a tax of which no notice whatever had been given.

Mr. Herries

also thought the tax objectionable, as it was a tax on a raw material.

Mr. Poulett Thomson

said, the tax was imposed after a communication with the manufacturers of candles, and it was by their wish that the tax was imposed.

Mr. Sadler

was glad of the increase of this duty, as it gave encouragement to the industry of our own cottagers.

Resolution agreed to.