HC Deb 18 March 1831 vol 3 cc539-40
Lord Althorp

having moved that the House resolve into a Committee on the Customs Acts.

Mr. B. Hoy

begged to ask the Vice- president of the Board of Trade (Mr. P. Thomson), whether it was intended, in any new regulation of the Silk-trade, to remove those restrictions by which the port of Dover possessed the exclusive privilege of being the only place on the coast through which silks could be imported? He thought that Southampton, from its position and maritime importance, was entitled to share that privilege, and its inhabitants complained much that they were deprived by the present regulation of many advantages they would otherwise enjoy through the passage of strangers and natives to France.

Mr. P. Thomson

believed there was no intention to alter the existing regulations. No representations on the subject had been made to the Board of Trade.

Mr. B. Hoy

replied, that a representation on the subject had been sent in to the President of the Board under the former Government.

Mr. Thomson

said, he was satisfied that the noble Lord at the head of the Board would pay attention to the representation.