HC Deb 22 March 1842 vol 61 cc1108-9

Upon the Order of the Day for going into committee on the Corn importation Bill being read.

Sir Robert Peel

said, Sir, I should fix the Corn Importation Bill for to-morrow, but the forms of the House would not allow me to send it to the Lords before the recess, if I proceeded with it, as the report could not be brought up until the following day, and I, therefore, believe that it will suit the general convenience of the House, as nothing of importance stands for Thursday, if I should move the adjournment of the House to-morrow I could not be enabled to send the Corn Bill to the Lords before the recess, even if it went through committee to-morrow.

Mr. Hawes

said, he presumed the right hon. Gentleman meant to bring on the Income-tax adjourned debate to-morrow?

Sir R. Peel:

Certainly.

Mr. Hawes

begged to press upon the right hon. Gentleman the expediency of postponing the debate till after Easter; no real progress could be made on Wednesday.

Sir R. Peel

wished the House to bear in mind, that the noble Lord the Member for the City of London, had given notice of some counter-resolutions on the report, land it was very desirable that the House should as soon as possible, decide on the relative merits of the two propositions; but this could not be done until the resolutions had been carried in committee. Now, the Income-tax resolution was the basis of the whole financial scheme; and thus he had the strongest reason for desiring that no unnecessary delay should take place.

Mr. Hawes

was sensible that the right hon. Baronet did what he felt his duty; but there were those who felt it to be theirs to oppose the measure, as inferior to others which might be adopted. He really thought no progress would be made on Wednesday.

Sir R. Peel

What obstructions may be given I know not. It is not for me to anticipate an obstruction which I know cannot be offered with reason or with justice. When it is offered—should it be offered—it will be my duty to meet it; but I will not assume it, nor do I wish to interpose any needless delay to the proposition of that rival plan which the noble Lord the Member for London is going to bring forward on the report.

Dr. Bowring

remarked, the opinion of the House would be so compromised by its decision on the resolutions in committee as to prejudice the ulterior discussions.

Sir R. Peel

replied, that this was to assume, that the resolutions once carried in committee all further opposition was useless—he was glad to hear it. The effect of passing the Corn Bill, would be to reduce the existing duties to one-half, and he was sorry that the necessity for deliberation would preclude the country from enjoying the advantage of the reduction.

House adjourned.