§ Mr. Spencepresented a Petition from certain Tile and Brick makers in the county of York, praying for a repeal of the duties on Bricks. The petitioners stated the extreme hardships under which they laboured; that in 1824 nearly all the bricks in the county of York were spoiled after the duty had been paid upon them; and that in 1828 and 1829, nearly the same case occurred. The duty was payable every six weeks, which was a shorter time than was allowed for the collection of any other tax.
Mr. Humesupported the prayer of the petition; the allegations contained in which he had no doubt were correct, from the communications he had had with the brick-makers of Middlesex. The duties on bricks were imposed at the same time with the duties on slates. The duties on slates had been repealed, and the duties on bricks ought to be repealed also. The whole amount of the duties which were drained from the pockets of these poor men did not exceed 30,000l. He, therefore, trusted, their case would meet with the merciful consideration of Government.
Mr. Briscoccorroborated the statements of the hon, member for Middlesex, and supported the prayer of the petition.
§ Petition to be printed.