Commons Sitting of 23 August 1833

MINUTES.
Papers ordered. On the Motion of Mr. G. F. YOUNG, the Quantities of Flax, and Hemp, and of Saltpetre, and Brimstone, Imported into Great Britain, from the beginning of 182G to the beginning of the present year: also the Real and Official Value of British and Irish Linens Exported to Foreign Ports during the same period.—On the Motion of Mr. O'REILLY. Returns of the Charges made by the Petty Sessions Court of Dundalk, for Summonses, Warrants, and Bail-bonds, and the Amount received under each head during the last three years: also of all Fines Imposed by the Authority of the said Court during the same period.
Bills. Read a third time:—Civil List Charges; Turnpike Road Accounts; Juries (Ireland).
Petitions presented. By Mr. CLAY, from St. Leonard's, Shore ditch, for the Abolition of the Metropolitan Police—By Mr. BARNARD, from Lewisham, Bromley, &c., for the Repeal of the Malt Duty—By Mr. G. F. YOUNG, from the Shipowners of Newcastle, against the Navigation Laws; from Tynemouth, in favour of the Factories' Regulation Bill—By Colonel EVANS, from Wakefield, for the Repeal of all Taxes on Knowledge; and for Inquiry into the Case of Joshua Hodson; and from two Parishes in Westminster, for a direct passage from Castle Street into Trafalgar Square.—By Mr. EWING, from the Council and Assembly of Dominica, against the Slavery Abolition Bill.—By Mr. BUCKINGHAM, from Sheffield, against Impressment.—By Mr. BLAMIRE, from Staveley, and fourteen other Places, in favour of the Tithes Stay of Suits Bill.—By Mr. M'LEOD, from Cupar, for Excluding the Bishops from the Upper House.—By Mr. HAWES, from Kingston-upon-Thames, against the Impositions of their Corporation.—By the SOLICITOR GENERAL, from the Medical Practitioners of Armagh; and by Mr. WARIIURTON, from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, for an Inquiry into the State of the Medical Profession.—By Mr. WARBURTON, from New castle-upon-Tyne, for Vote by Ballot.—By Mr. HUGHES, from Perth, for the Restoration of the Drawback on Spirits made from Malted Grain—By Sir SAMUEL WHALLEY, from Inhabitants of Mary-le-bone, for an Inquiry into the Case of Hodson.—By Mr. HUTT, from Kingston-upon-Hull, against the Barton Ferry Bill; and from James Acland, a Prisoner for Libel, praying the Intercession of the House.

NATIONAL GALLERY.
Colonel Evanspresented a petition from the householders of Castle-street, St. Martin's Westminster, complaining of the length of time the business of that part of the metropolis had been obstructed by the erection of the new buildings in the vicinity of Charing-cross, and praying that if a national gallery was built in Trafalgar-square, some communication might be left in a direct line between Castle-street and Charing-cross.
Mr. Spring Ricesaid, his noble friend (Lord Duncannon) had used his best endeavours to remedy the evil complained of by the petitioners. It had been intended to have given a passage even when the national gallery should be built. He assured the hon. Member, that every attention would be paid to the suggestions of the petitioners.
Mr. Hilltook that opportunity to ask if it was the intention of his Majesty's Ministers to afford any additional privileges to the

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Royal Academy, or grant them any new rooms for their accommodation in the National Gallery? He thought nothing could be more injurious than an extension of the privileges they at present enjoyed, as they exerted them very unfairly towards their brother artists.
Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that no new privileges were intended to be given to the Royal Academy. It was only intended to give them, not as a gift, but in a way of occupation, as they had at Somerset-house, the use of some rooms in the gallery, in order that the Government might concentrate all their offices in Somerset-house which would be the means of greatly increasing the convenience and lessening the public expense.
Mr. Toddsaid, it was to be regretted that the discussion on that subject had not taken place while the noble Lord at the head of the Woods and Forests was in his place. He must complain much of the manner the Bill on this subject had been smuggled through the House, and also as a parishioner of St. Martin's, of the delay which had taken place in the erection of the public buildings in Trafalgar-square. He likewise expressed his regret, that the public had not been admitted to the interior of Regent's Park, and wished to know the reason of their exclusion from such a healthful spot.
Mr. Spring Ricedeclared, that Government had carried no Bills through the House in the morning that were not known to be unopposed. The one more particularly referred to by the hon. Member had proceeded as far as the third reading, without any kind of opposition. The delay, therefore, complained of in the erection of the National Gallery could not fairly be attributed to the Government. The vote of 10,000 l. had been pressed upon the Government by the House, which being found insufficient, they had been compelled to delay the erection of the building. He was unable exactly to inform the hon. Member when the Re gent's-Park would be opened to the public.
Lord Ormelieexpressed his disapprobation of the exclusive right given to the Royal Academy, and thought that, unless it was fairly open to the whole body of artists, it could not be called a National Gallery.
Mr. Warburtonregretted that Whitehall Chapel had not been made use of for the purpose of a National Gallery. It would effect a direct saving of 80,000 l. a-year. He defended the Royal Academy,
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and was of opinion that there ought to be some board to decide what pictures should be hung up.
Mr. Cobbettobjected to the whole population of the country being taxed to pay for the erection of metropolitan buildings. It was a subject that ought to be more closely watched by the county Members.
Petition laid on the Table.