HC Deb 12 August 1835 vol 30 cc425-6

Mr. Callaghan moved that this Bill be committed.

Mr. George F. Young

opposed the Motion, and objected to the Bill on the ground that it was a partial measure intending to apply to three or four particular ports, and that it ought not to be entertained by the House, inasmuch as a Commission had been appointed to inquire into the subject of pilotage generally, with the proceedings of which Commission this Bill would interfere. He moved that the Bill be committed that day three months.

Mr. Robinson

seconded the Motion, and contended that the Bill ought not to have been brought forward until the Commission now sitting on the subject of pilotage had made its Report. At the same time he did not oppose the Bill because he considered it objectionable in principle, but from the circumstance he had stated.

Mr. Warburton

defended the Bill, and could see no reason why it should be opposed because a Commission had been appointed on the subject of pilotage generally. He could not see in what way the present measure could interfere with the proceedings of the Commission, and he hoped his hon. Friend, the Member for Cork, would press his Motion.

Mr. Callaghan

said, that the Bill had met with very general approval, and amongst others who sanctioned it was the right hon. the President of the Board of Trade, who was very desirous that it should be passed. The object of the measure was to relieve the steam-vessels plying to the ports of Liverpool, Dublin, Belfast, and Derry from the compulsory payment of pilotage dues. The noble Lord who presided over the Royal Commission which had been issued on the subject of pilotage, had also expressed his approbation of the Bill, and he believed the Members generally, who composed the Commission, were friendly to it.

Mr. Robinson

said, that he was a Member of the Commission in question, and was not aware that the Bill had been so approved of. For his own part, he knew nothing about it until the hon. Member for Cork had brought it forward.

The House divided on the Amendment; Ayes 2; Noes 73; Majority 71.

Bill Committed and Reported.