HC Deb 10 August 1842 vol 65 c1229
Mr. M. Philips

wished to put a question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with respect to some misunderstanding which had arisen with regard to the act recently passed for regulating the importation of corn. The 28th clause of that bill directed, that the average should be taken on every Thurs-day, for each week, from the Thursday in the week preceding. The bill passed on Friday, the 28th of April; and he was informed, that some importers contended, that as a full week did not intervene between that day and the following Thursday, no average could be struck, and no duty was payable. Those parties had, he understood, paid the duty under protest; and he wished to know, whether, in this ease, the exemption could be legally claimed.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, he believed this question had been put to him in consequence of the suggestions of an individual whose employment consisted in detecting errors and defects in Acts of Parliament; and who pointed out those errors to merchants and others, on condition of receiving a premium for his in.. formation. [An hon. Member said, Thai is not the case." The law officers of the Crown considered, that there was nothing in the objection; and it had been left. to the parties interested to try the question, if they were disposed to do so.