§ Mr. Gisbornepresented a Petition from the City of York, respecting the state of the Currency. The hon. Member stated, that he had several similar Petitions in his possession, and the House was aware that he had also a motion on the subject of the Bank Charter and Currency, which stood for that night. With a view, however, of saving the time of the House, he begged to put a question to the noble Lord near him, as the answer which the noble Lord gave would determine whether he should, at the present moment, bring forward his Resolutions upon the subject. He wished to know from the noble Lord (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) whether it was probable that any measure, founded upon the labours of the Bank Charter Committee, would be submitted by Ministers during the present Session of Parliament?
§ Lord Althorpsaid, when he brought forward the proposition for the appointment of a Committee on the subject of the renewal of the Bank Charter, he certainly did so with a sanguine expectation that the question would decidedly be introduced during the present Session of Parliament; but the course that the examination of the evidence in the Committee had taken, had diminished the expectation which he had previously entertained. The subject was one of very great importance undoubtedly, and it was essential to have the question set at rest as early as possible; but, great as the inconvenience of delay in setting this question at rest might be, a much greater inconvenience would be felt were it to be terminated without a full inquiry into the whole subject.
§ Mr. Gisbornetrusted, that he should not be precluded from bringing forward his motion, should a measure be introduced by the noble Lord in the course of the Session.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, it was not very likely, at this advanced period of the Session, that he should submit a measure upon the subject to the House.
§ Mr. Gisborneobserved, that perhaps the noble Lord would afford him an opportunity of presenting his petitions upon the subject, and of submitting a motion relating to it, should hereafter any measure be submitted by Ministers.
§ Lord Althorpsaid, in that case, he certainly would acquaint the hon. Member in time with his intentions.
§ Mr. Gisborne, in that case, would not press the motion of which he had given notice; and would, with the permission of the House, withdraw it.
§ Motion withdrawn. (see Appendix).