§ Sir F. Trenchsaid, he had a question to ask connected with the deplorable state of the Spital-fields manufacturers, 50,000 of whom were in a state of the deepest distress, and enduring sufferings of the most extraordinary description. He had seen a newspaper of that morning, containing a report of the debates in the French Chamber of Deputies, in which it was stated by M. Martin that the Agricultural Committee had expressed an opinion that it would be necessary to augment the duty upon linen. Now, if the French Government protected their hand-loom weavers, he thought the British Government ought to do the same. The question he wished to put was, whether it was the intention of Government to do anything towards protecting our own manufacturers, and towards mitigating the sufferings of that unfortunate class of the community?
§ Mr. Poulett Thomsonwished the hon. Gentleman had specified more clearly what his question was: but it appeared to him 546 that the meaning of the question was, whether it was the intention of the Government to alter the duty upon silk goods? In answer to that question, he would say at once, that it was not the intention of the Government to do anything whatever that should increase the duty upon silk goods, or to alter the present state of the law, unless they were compelled to do so by political motives, or by the conduct of France with respect to the goods imported into that country. He would only add, that if the hon. Gentleman was of opinion that the alteration in the duties which had taken place, and the change of system on the subject of the silk manufactures had proved injurious to the trade of this country, he would recommend the hon. Gentleman to bring forward a motion on the subject, and he (Mr. P. Thomson) would pledge himself to prove, that, so far from having been injurious, it had been highly beneficial to the silk trade of this country.