§ Mr. Hawesventured to express a hope that the protracted debate upon the Corn-laws would not prevent the right hon. Chancellor of the Exchequer bringing on the motion of which he had given notice for this evening (Thursday), upon the subject of the Exchequer bill fraud. The interest excited upon this really very important question was intense, and he hoped that the right hon. Gentleman, even if the discussion could not be taken this evening, would have no objection to make the statement which he proposed to address to the House upon the subject if possible, to allay the apprehensions which almost universally prevailed upon the subject.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequerregretted that he did not feel at liberty to 972 interfere with the course of the debate upon the question of the Corn-laws, the importance of which he felt to be paramount. If each Member would interfere and bring forward the particular motion of which notice had been given, there would be nothing but delay. The question, however, was one regarded by the country as of particular importance, and he trusted that every facility would be afforded him to bring it forward. As far as he was concerned it should be brought forward with the least possible delay. He trusted that at any rate he should be able to thing it forward on or before Tuesday.
§ Mr. Haweswished to know whether this would be the first business the Government would bring forward on the House coming to a determination on the corn resolutions. He sincerely hoped that the subject would be brought forward with the slightest possible delay.
§ Sir Robert Peelobserved, that all he asked was, that the House should agree or come to some determination on the resolutions which be had proposed respecting the corn duties, and to allow him to bring in a bill founded on them. When this was done, other business would be proceeded with immediately.
§ Mr. Laboucheresaid, that he apprehended that it was desirable before the House came to a resolution relative to the duties to be paid on the importation of corn from the colonies, it should know what was the determination of the Government as to the proposed duty to be paid on the importation of corn from the United States into Canada. He did not ask for an answer now, but he trusted that the determination of the Government would be communicated to the House with the least possible delay.
§ Sir R. Peelagreed with the right hon. Gentleman, that it was desirable that the course proposed to be adopted should be communicated to the House within as short a period as possible. He would take care that this should be done.
§ House adjourned.