§ Mr. Matthias Attwoodconsidered the Bill to be a measure which was inconsistent with sound financial principles. The object of the Bill was, to purchase the repeal of taxes, amounting to 35,000l. a year, by a grant of 160,000l. He objected to the payment of this sum of money, because, according to the repeated declarations of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Treasury could not spare it; and, secondly, because there was no pressing occasion for the measure. The tax was paid by foreign vessels coming to the port of London, and its repeal would be injurious to the ship-owners.
§ Mr. Robinsonobjected strongly to the principle of the Bill, and thought, that no reason for forcing it on at the present late period of the Session had been established.
§ Mr. Matthias Attwoodmoved, as an amendment; to leave out all the words after the word, "that" in the original Motion, for the purpose of inserting words to the effect "that in all questions of the expenditure of additional payments out of the Exchequer, especial regard should be paid to the interests of those who suffer the greatest pressure of the public burthens."
§ The House divided—for the Amendment 6; against it 46: Majority 40.
§ Bill read a third time and passed.