§ The House then went into Committee on the Customs' Duties Bill.
908§ On the 17th Clause, reducing the duty on the export of coals,
§ Mr. Warburtonsaid, that the introduction of this clause would have the effect of expediting the period when coals nearest the surface and nearest the sea would be exhausted; consequently, a greater expense of machinery would be necessary, the consumers and manufacturers at home would pay a higher price for coal, and the Dutch and French manufacturers would get our coals cheaper.
§ Lord Althorpobserved, that if the article had been exclusively produced here, or competition abroad did not prevent our charging foreigners with a duty upon our coal, there might be some reason for objecting to the clause. The question then was, whether it was likely to diminish the quantity of coal brought to market for home consumption? He thought not; there were large fields of coal close to the surface, and near the sea, not touched. There was, therefore, not any danger of exhaustion taking place.
Colonel Torrenswas of opinion, that the removal of the duty would make British coals cheap abroad, and dear to our own manufacturers.
§ Mr. Huttobserved, that coals were not exported to foreign ports for manufacturers, but for domestic purposes. We had no monopoly of coal.
§ The Clause was agreed to, as were the other Clauses, with the exception of the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, relating to inland warehousing, which were withdrawn, on account of the lateness of the Session.
§ Mr. Poulett Thomson brought up a Clause to exempt slates from Export duty: vessels laden with slate to be deemed in ballast.
§ The House resumed.