Commons Sitting of 21 July 1843

Preamble
MINUTES.] BILLS. Public.—1° Customs; Episcopal Functions; Marriages (Ireland); Slave Trade Treaties Bills of Exchange; Stock in Trade.
2° Controverted Elections.
Committed.—Municipal Corporations (No. 2).
Reported.—Designs Copyright; Fines and Penalties (Ireland); Court of Exchequer (Ireland).
Private.1° Hambro's Naturalization.
Reported.—Glasgow Police; Anderston Improvement am Police; Burry, etc., Navigation, and Llanelly Harbour (No. 3); Leicester and Peterborough Road; North Esk Reservoir.
3°and passed:——Jackson's Divorce.
PETITIONS PRESENTED. By Lord Worsley, from Lincoln and Mr. C. Villiers, from Wolverhampton, and Honiton in favour of the County Courts Bill—By Mr. B. Wood from an Irish Society, and by Mr. T. Duncombe, from the Peers, against the Limitation of Actions Bill.—By Mr. Miles, from Shepton Mallet, against the Abolition of Church Rates; and from Wrington, for Church Ex tension, and against the Union of the Sees of St. Asaph and Bangor.—By Mr. Beckett and Mr. V. Smith, Ron Leeds, and a number of other places, against the Washington Treaty—From a number of Places for Limiting the Hours of Labour of young persans in Fatories.—From Longford, and Leitrim, in favour of the Irish Arms Bill.

UNIVERSITY STATUTES.
Mr. Smithbegged to ask the hon. Baronet the Member for the University of Oxford a question respecting the statutes of the University and its colleges. In July, 1838 the Duke of Wellington, the Chancellor o that University, deprecated discussion it the House of Lords on the subject of them statutes, saying, that they were then it the course of revision, and that it would be well that all opinion on them should for the present be suspended. It was now five years since this declaration had beer made, and he wished to ask whether the revision alluded to had been completed, or was still in progress, and, if so, when would be completed, and whether there would be any objection to the publication of the revised statutes.
Sir R. H. Ingliswould answer tile ques-

1297
tion of the right hon. Gentleman as well as he was able. It was within the knowledge of the House, without reference to what had taken place elsewhere, that the University had been engaged for a considerable time past in revising the statutes, and considerable progress had been made. Two or three years previously to the time to which the right hon. Gentleman alluded, a great alteration had been made in reference to the relative intercourse of colleges and halls. In 1837 some change had been effected, which related to oaths, and in 1838 a considerable alteration had been adopted with regard to matriculations. Formerly it was required that young men should take an oath to fulfil all the requirements of the statutes, but that practice had now ceased to exist, and in lieu of taking the oath, every young man now received an admonition, which was addressed to him by the chief functionary of the University, the Vice-Chancellor. In the following year an alteration was made with respect to residence, which he thought would be found to be exceedingly salutary in its effects. In 1840 an alteration had been made in the statutes de moribus conformandis, and he believed that this was such a measure as would satisfy every hon. Gentleman. In another year, 1839, a further alteration had been made respecting lectures, requiring all persons to attend a certain number of courses, and of lectures in each course. He thought, that the right hon. Gentleman and the House would agree with him in thinking that much had been done, and that under the circumstances it was fit that a considerable portion of indulgence should be shown to the university. He could assure the House that the subject had not escaped the observation of those most interested in maintaining the discipline of the university, in promoting its welfare, and in rendering it one of the greatest ornaments of civilization in England.
Mr. V. Smithbegged to suggest to the hon. Baronet that he had not yet answered the questions which lie had put—namely, how soon the work which had been commenced would be completed, and whether the statutes might not be printed?
Sir R. H. Inglistook it for granted that the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the statutes were promulgated in Latin, and he did not know whether he
1298
could desire that they should be published in their original language. He might take this opportunity of adding what he had before omitted; the right hon. Gentleman's question had referred, not to the university merely, but to colleges also. He was able to state, that considerable progress had been made in the different colleges with respect to the revision of their statutes; but he must add, that each,)f the colleges had a visitor, subject to whose cognizance their internal affairs were conducted. The university, also, bad a visitor in the person of the Archbishop of Canterbury, besides a special visitor, to whom it was answerable.

EMIGRATION BOUNTY ORDERS.
Mr. Ewartbegged to put a question to the noble Lord, the Secretary for the Colonies, upon the subject of what was called bounty orders, which had been formerly granted by the Government for the encouragement of emigration. The bounty orders, during the period of office of the late Government, had been suddenly suspended; and those interested in promoting emigration had been subjected to considerable suffering by that suspension. Many of them held bounty orders, and they expected that their cases would be taken into consideration when the system was resumed. The noble Lord had given notice of his intention to resume these orders, and he desired to know whether, in accordance with the views of these persons, their case would be considered?
Lord Stanleysaid, that the hon. Member was aware, that shortly before the change of Government, two years ago, the noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) then Secretary for Colonial Affairs, found that so many of these orders had been issued, that it was impossible that the finances of the colonies on which they were charged, could meet the demands upon them. The outstanding bounty orders on the Australian colonies at that time amounted to a million of money, which was to be paid in the course of two years. The noble Lord, therefore, had felt compelled, and he was convinced that the noble Lord had acted correctly, after giving sufficient notice to the present holders of these orders, to declare that, after a limited time, these orders should not be considered as being any longer binding. It was stated, however, that if emigration or

1299
bounty orders should be thereafter resumed, the claims of these parties should be taken into consideration. The result had been, that up to this time there had not been any surplus arising out of the monies appropriated to the payment of the bounty orders. He would not now enter into the question of the abuse of the bounty orders, but they had of late been employed for a different purpose to that for which they were originally intended. The original intention had been to afford to colonists, possessing certain means, in consideration of their laying out a certain sum of money in the colony, the power of bringing out emigrants at the public expense; but they had become matters of transfer and sale, and it was uncertain, therefore, into whose hands they fell. In consequence of complaints which had been made of the want of labour in the Australian colonies, the Government had decided on issuing tenders to take out a limited number of emigrants to those colonies, on the faith of such funds as should be forthcoming in the colonies. The object was not to renew the system of bounty orders; but to alter that plan. He did not think that those persons, who two years ago held bounty orders, had such a claim as justified the Government in allowing them to receive 20 l. per head for all emigrants, when at the present rate of freight, the same advantages could be obtained at 16 l. or 17 l. per head.
Mr. Ewartunderstood the noble Lord then to say that he did not think that the holders of the bounty orders had an equitable claim on the Government.
Lord Stanleydid not think that parties who had entered into these engagements two years ago had secured to themselves any preference in carrying out their undertaking.

FACTORIES.
Lord Ashleybegged to inquire of the right hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government, whether the Government intended to introduce any measure in the next Session of Parliament to amend the laws relating to factories?
Sir R. Peelhad no hesitation in saying that the postponement of the bill, which had been before the House, to a future Session, had not arisen from any doubt on the part of the Government of its importance or propriety, but only from the desire expressed by hon. Gentlemen on both
1300
sides of the House that it should be fully discussed. He was prepared to give his noble Friend an assurance that a bill would be introduced at a very early period of the next Session for the purpose of amending the law on this subject.
ARMS (IRELAND) BILL.]
House in committee on the Arms (Ireland) Bill.
On clause 36, "no arms or ammunition to be kept by unlicensed persons."
Sir W. Barronmoved that the last three lines, enforcing penalty not exceeding 10 l. and forfeiture, should be left out, and the words, "a fine not exceeding forty shillings," should be inserted.
After some conversation the amendment was withdrawn.
Clause agreed to.
Clauses up to 39 were then severally agreed to.
On clause 40, licensed persons lending their licences to other persons, to be liable to a penalty.
Sir R. Fergusonproposed to insert the words "not being licensed."
The committee divided on the question that the words be inserted: Ayes 33; Noes 86; Majority 53.
The committee again divided, on the question that the clause stand part of the bill: Ayes 65; Noes 18; Majority 47.

List of the AYES.

Ackers, J.

Hope, hon. C.

Alexander, N.

Hope, G. W.

Baillie, Col.

Hornby, J.

Baillie, H. J.

Jones, Capt.

Baring, H. B.

Kemble, H.

Baskerville, T.

Knatchbull, rt. hn. Sir E

Boldero, H. G.

Knight, F. W.

Botfield, B.

Lincoln, Earl of

Broadley, H.

Lockhart, W.

Buckley, E.

Mackenzie, T.

Clerk, Sir G.

Manners, Lord J.

Corry, rt. hon. H.

Marsham, Visct.

Damer, hon. Col.

Meynell, Capt.

Dickinson, F. H.

Mundy, E. M.

Douglas, Sir C. E.

Newdigate, C. N.

Duncombe, hon. A.

Northland, Visct.

Eliot, Lord

O'Brien, A. S.

Estcourt, T. G. B.

Palmer, G.

Flower, Sir J.

Peel, J.

Forman, T. S.

Plumptre, J. P.

Gaskell, J. Milnes

Pollock, Sir F,

Gordon, hon. Capt.

Richards, R.

Goulburn, rt. hon. H.

Russell, C.

Graham, rt. hn,. Sir H.

Scott, hon. F.

Hardinge, rt. hn. Sir H.

Smith, A.

Henley, J. W.

Smith, rt. hon. T. B.C.

Herbert, hon. S.

Somerset, Lord G.

Hervey, Lord A.

Stuart, W. V.

Hodgson, H.

Sutton, hon. H. M,

1301

Tennent, J. E.

Wellesley, Lord C.

Thompson, Mr. Ald.

Young, J.

Trench, Sir F. W.

TELLERS.

Vesey, hon. T.

Freemantle, Sir T.

Vivian, J. E.

Pringle, A.

List of the NOES.

Archbold, R.

Smith, B.

Barnard, E. G.

Thornely, T.

Blake, M. J.

Trelawny, J. S.

Brotherton, J.

Wawn, J. T.

Collett J.

Wood, B.

Esmonde, Sir T.

Wyse, T.

Ferguson, Sir R. A.

Yorke, H. R.

Forster, M.

Hume, J.

TELLERS.

Norreys, Sir D. J.

Clements, Visct.

O'Connell, M. J.

O'Brien, W. S.

Clause to stand part of the bill.
Clause 41 agreed to.
On clause 42, "licences to be bad for making and repairing arms," being read,
Mr. O'Brienobjected to the whole clause, but particularly to the penalty of repairing arms without licence. He moved to leave out the words "mend or repair."
The committee divided on the question that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the clause: Ayes 57; Noes 15; Majority 42.
On the question that the blank in the clause be filed up with the words "fifty pounds,"
Lord Clementsmoved that the words be "twenty pounds."
The committee divided on the question that the words be "fifty pounds:" Ayes 56; Noes 22; Majority 34.
The committee again divided on the question that the clause stand part of the bill: Ayes 66; Noes 26; Majority 40.

List of the AYES.

Ackers, J.

Forman, T. S.

Acton, Col.

Gaskell, J. Milnes

Antrobus, E.

Gladstone, rt. hn. W. E.

Arkwright, G.

Graham, rt. hn. Sir J.

Baillie, Col.

Grogan, E.

Baskerville, T. B. M.

Hamilton, G. A.

Borthwick, P.

Harcourt, G. G.

Botfield,

Hardinge, rt. hn. Sir H.

Boyd, J.

Henley, J. W.

Buckley, E.

Hodgson, R.

Chute, W. L. W.

Hope, hon. C.

Clerk, Sir G.

Hope, G. W.

Clive, hon. R. H.

Hornby, J.

Colvile, C. R.

Jones, Capt.

Dickinson, F. H.

Kemble, H.

Douglas, Sir C. E.

Knatchbull, rt. hn. Sir E

East, J. B.

Knight, H. G.

Eliot, Lord

Lockhart, W.

Escott, B.

Lowther, J. H.

Flower, Sir J.

Mackenzie, T.

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Mackenzie, W. F.

Smith, A.

Manners, Lord J.

Smith, rt. hn. T. B. C.

Marsham, Visct.

Stanley, Lord

Martin, C. W.

Stuart, W. V.

Marton, G.

Stuart, H.

Maxwell, hon. J. P.

Sutton, hon. H. M.

Miles, W.

Tennent, J. E.

Nicholl, rt. hon. J.

Trench, Sir F. W.

O'Brien, A. S.

Vivian, J. E.

Packe, C. W.

Wellesley, Lord C.

Palmer, G.

Young, J.

Peel, rt. hn. Sir R.

Pollock, Sir F.

TELLERS.

Pringle, A.

Freemantle, Sir T.

Repton, G. W. J.

Baring, H.

List of the NOES.

Barnard, E. G.

O'Conor Don

Bowring, Dr.

Plumridge, Capt.

Brotherton, J.

Trelawny, J. S.

Clements, Visct.

Wallace, R.

Collett, J.

Ward, H. G.

Crawford, W. S.

Wawn, J. T.

Duncan, G.

Williams, W.

Elphinstone, H.

Wilshere, W.

Esmonde, Sir T.

Wood, B.

Ewart, W.

Wyse, T.

Forster, M.

Yorke, H. R.

Hatton, Capt. V.

Hawes, B.

TELLERS.

Hill Lord M

Norreys, Sir D.

Hindley, C.

O'Brien, W. S.

Clause agreed to.
On clause 44, providing that "a monthly account of arms sold and repaired shall be kept, and returned to the sub-inspector of the constabulary force."
Mr. Colletmoved the omission of the word "repaired."
The committee divided on the question that the word stand part of the clause; Ayes 74; Noes 21; Majority 53.
Clause agreed to.
On clause 45; "licences under this act may be suspended on notice from the chief or under-secretary,"
Lord Clementsmoved that! the words, "chief or under-secretary" be omitted. The committee divided on the question that these words stand part of the clause; Ayes 94; Noes 11; Majority 83.
Clause agreed to.
On clause 46, justices of peace may search for arms kept for sale.
The committee then divided on the question that the clause stand part of the bill; Ayes 93; Noes 34; Majority 59.

List of the AYES.

Ackers, J.

Antrobus, E.

Acton, Col.

Archbold, R.

Alexander, N.

Arkwright, G.

Alford, Visct.

Baillie, Col.

1303

Baskerville, T. B. M.

Knatchbull, rt. hn. Sir E

Bernard, Visct.

Lefroy, A.

Boldero, H. G.

Lincoln, Earl of

Borthwick, P.

Lockhart, W.

Botfield, B.

Lowther, J. H.

Boyd, J.

Lowther, hon. Col.

Buckley, E.

Mackenzie, W. F.

Bunbury, T.

McGeachy, F. A.

Chute, W. L. W.

Manners, Lord J.

Clerk, Sir G.

Marsham, Visct.

Clive, hon. R. H.

Martin, C. W.

Colvlle, C. R.

Maxwell, hon. J. P.

Corry, rt. hon. H.

Meynell, Capt.

Douglas, Sir H.

Miles, W.

Douglas, Sir C. E.

Neeld, J.

Duncombe, hon. O.

Newdigate, C. N.

East, J. B.

O'Brien, A. S.

Egerton, W. T.

Palmer, G.

Eliot, Lord

Peel, rt. hon. Sir R.

Escott, B.

Plumptre, J. P.

Estcourt, T. G. B.

Pollock, Sir F.

Ferguson, Sir R. A.

Praed, W. T.

Flower, Sir J.

Pringle, A.

Forman, T. S.

Rashleigh, W.

Gaskell, J. Miles

Repton, G. W. J.

Gladstone, rt. hn. W. E.

Rolleston, Col.

Gladstone, Capt.

Rose, rt. hon. Sir G.

Gordon, hon. Capt.

Round, J.

Goulburn, rt. hon. H.

Rous, hon. Capt.

Graham, rt. ho. Sir J.

Russell, J. D. W.

Grogan, E.

Smith, A.

Hamilton, G. A.

Smith, rt. hn. T. B. C.

Harcourt, G. G.

Somerset, Lord G.

Hardinge, rt. hn. Sir H.

Stanley, Lord

Henley, J. W.

Stuart, W. V.

Herbert, hon. S.

Stuart, H.

Hervey, Lord A.

Sutton, hon. H. M.

Hodgson, R.

Tennent, J. E.

Hope, hon. C.

Thornhill, G.

Hope, G. W.

Vesey, hon. T.

Hornby, J.

Vivian, J. E.

Hughes, W. B.

TELLERS.

Jones, Capt.

Fremantle, Sir T.

Kemble, H.

Young, J.

List of the NOES.

Baring, rt. hon. F. T.

Hindley, C.

Barnard, E. G.

Napier, Sir C.

Barron, Sir H. W.

O'Brien, W. S.

Bowring, Dr.

O'Conor Don

Brotherton, J.

Plumridge, Capt.

Colebrooke, Sir T. E.

Power, J.

Collett, J.

Trelawny, J. S.

Crawford, W. S.

Tuite, H. M.

Duncan, G.

Wallace, R.

Dundas, Adm.

Wawn, J. T.

Elphinstone, H.

Williams, W.

Esmonde. Sir T'.

Wilshere, W.

Ewart, W.

Wood, B.

Forster, M.

Wyse, T.

Hall, Sir B.

Yorke, H. R.

Hatton, Capt. V.

TELLERS.

Hawes, B.

Clements, Visct.

Hill, Lord M.

O'Connell, M. J.

On clause 54, grand juries may present sums for paying clerks of the peace for their trouble.
Lord Clementsmoved to omit the words "trouble, &c."
The committee divided on the question that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the clause: Ayes 111; Noes 37; Majority 74.
The committee again divided on the question that the clause stand part of the bill: Ayes 105; Noes 29; Majority 76.

List of the AYES.

Acland, Sir T. D.

Hardy, J.

Acton, Col.

Hayes, Sir E.

Alexander, N.

Hensley, J. W.

Antrobus, E.

Herbert, hon. S.

Archdall, Capt. M.

Hervey, Lord A.

Arkwright, G.

Hodgson, F.

Baillie, Col.

Hodgson, It.

Bankes, G.

Hornby, J.

Baskerville, T. B. M.

Hughes, W. B.

Bateson, It.

Ingestre, Visct.

Bernard, Visct.

Jermyn, Earl

Blackburne, J. I.

Jones, Capt.

Boldero, H. G.

Knatchbull, rt. hn. Sir E

Botfield, B.,

Lefroy, A.

Boyd, J.

Lincoln, Earl of

Broadley, H.

Lockhart, W.

Broadwood, H.

Lowther, J. H.

Brooke, Sir A. B.

Lowther, hon. Col.

Bruce, Lord E.

Mackenzie, W. F.

Buckley, E.

Mc. Geachy, F. A.

Bunbury, T.

Masterman, J.

Chelsea, Visct.

Maxwell, hon. J. P.

Chetwode, Sir J.

Meyneil, Capt.

Chute, W. L. W.

Mundy, E. M.

Clive, hon. R. H.

Newry, Visct.

Collett, W. It.

Nicholl, rt. hon. J.

Colvile, C. R.

O'Brien, A. S.

Corry, rt. hon. H.

Patten, J. W.

Courtenay, Lord

Peel, rt. hon. Sir R.

Damer, hon. Col.

Plumptre, J. P.

Denison, E. B.

Pollock, Sir F.

Dickinson, F. H.

Pringle, A.

Dodd, G.

Rashleigh, W.

Douglas, Sir C. E.

Rose, rt. hon. Sir G.

Duncombe, hon. A.

Round, J.

East, J. B.

Rushbrooke, Col.

Egerton, W. T.

Sandon, Visct.

Eliot, Lord

Scott, hon. F.

Estcourt, T. G. B.

Sibthorp, Col.

Farnham, E. B.

Smith, rt. hn. T. B. C.

Flower, Sir J.

Somerset, Lord G.

Forman, T. S.

Stanley, Lord

Fox, S. L.

Stuart, W. V.

Fuller, A. E.

Stuart, H.

Gaskell, J. Milnes

Sutton, hon. H. M.

Gladstone, rt. hn. W. E.

Taylor, E.

Gladstone, Capt.

Tennent, J. E.

Gordon, hon. Capt.

Thornhill, G.

Goulburn, rt. hon.

Vesey, hon. T.

Graham, rt. hn. Sir J.

Wellesley, Lord C.

Granby, Marq. of

Wortley, hon. J. S.

Grogan, E.

TELLERS.

Hamilton, G. A.

Clerk, Sir

Hardinge, rt. hn, Sir H,

Young,

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List of the NOES.

Aldam, W.

Hindley, C.

Archbold, R.

Morris, D.

Bowring, Dr.

Muntz, G. F.

Brotherton, J.

O'Connell, M. J.

Cavendish, hon. C. C.

O'Conor Don

Clements, Visct.

Power, J.

Collett, J.

Thorneley, T.

Crawford, W. S.

Tuite, H. M.

Duncan, G.

Ward, H. G.

Elphinstone, H.

Wawn, J. Twizell.

Esmonde, Sir T.

Williams, W.

Ewart, W.

Wood, B.

Ferguson, Sir R. A.

Yorke, H. R.

Forster, M.

TELLERS.

Gill, T.

Wyse, J.

Gore, hon. R.

O'Brien, W. S.

House resumed, the committee to sit again.

ARCHES AND PREROGATIVE COURTS.
On the question, that the Arches and Prerogative Courts bill be read a second time,
Dr. Nicholobjected to so important a measure being proceeded with at this period of the Session, and moved that it be read a second time that day three months.
Mr. Elphinstonedefended the bill.
The House divided on the question, that the word "now" stand part of the question. Ayes 22; Noes 69;—Majority 47.

List of the AYES.

Aldam, W.

Norreys, Sir D. J.

Archbold, R.

O'Connell, M, J.

Baring, rt. hon. F. T.

Power, J.

Bowring, Dr,

Thornely, T.

Brotherton, J.

Tuite, H. M.

Crawford, W. S.

Wawn, J. T.

Duncan, G.

Williams, W.

Ferguson, Sir R. A.

Wood, G. W.

Forster, M.

Yorke, H. R.

Gill, T.

Hindley, C.

TELLERS.

Morris, D.

Elphinstone,

Muntz, G. F.

Wood, B.

List of the NOES.

Acland, Sir T. D.

Clive, hon. R. H.

Antrobus, E.

Colville, C. R.

Archdall, Capt. M.

Corry, right hon. H.

Arkwright, G.

Denison, E. B.

Bankes, G.

Dickinson, E. H.

Blackburne, J. I.

Douglas, Sir C. E.

Boldero, H. G.

Duncombe, hon. A.

Broadwood, H.

Eliot, Lord

Brooke, Sir A. B.

Estcourt, T. G. B.

Buckley, E.

Filmer, Sir E.

Chetwode, Sir J.

Flower, Sir J.

Clerk, Sir G.

Fuller, A. E.

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Gaskell, J. Milnes.

Mundy, E. M.

Gladstone, rt. hn. W. E.

Newry, Visct.

Gordon, hon. Capt.

O'Brien, A. S.

Goulburn, rt. hon. H.

Palmer, R.

Graham, rt. hn. Sir J.

Peel, rt. hon. Sir R.

Greene, T.

Peel, J.

Hamilton, G. A.

Plumptre, J. P.

Hardinge, rt. hn. Sir H.

Pollock, Sir F.

Hayes, Sir E.

Pringle, A.

Henley, J. W.

Rashleigh, W.

Hodgson, R.

Rushbrooke, Col.

Hope, G. W.

Sandon, Visct.

Hughes, W. B.

Scott, hon. F.

Ingestre, Visct.

Sibthorp, Col.

Jones, Capt.

Smith, rt. hn. T. B.C.

Knatchbull, rt. hn. S

Stanley, Lord

Lefroy, A.

Sutton, hon. H. M.

Lincoln, Earl of

Thornhill, G.

Lowther, H.

Vesey, hon. T.

Lowther, hon. Col.

Wortley, hon. J. S.

Mackenzie, W. F. P.

Young, J.

McGeachy, F. A.

TELLERS.

Masterman, J.

Fremantle, Sir T.

Meynell, Capt.

Nicholl, W.

Bill put off for three months.

Factories ACT.
Mr Hindleymoved, [that leave be given to bring in a bill to amend the act 3 and 4 William 4th, c. 103.
Sir James Grahamtrusted, that the hon. Member would not press his motion, as his right hon. Friend at the head of the Government had announced, at an early part of the evening, that it was the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to introduce a bill on the subject.
Mr. Hindleysaid, that trusting that the promise of the right hon. Gentleman would be adhered to, he would consent to withdraw his motion. He knew that it was useless to press a bill of this kind against the wishes of the Government.
Motion withdrawn.

THE USURY LAWS.
Sir George Clerkmoved for leave to bring in a bill to continue an act for exempting certain bills of exchange and promissory notes from the operation of the laws relating to usury.
Mr. W. Williamstrusted that before any attempt was made to proceed with this bill, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would consent to the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the operation of the present act. Many representations of the most serious nature had been made to him with respect to the previous operation of the act.
Sir George Clerkobserved that they only intended by the present bill to renew the present act for two years, the period

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for which it had been renewed from time to time since its introduction in 1834. Of course, if the hon. Member thought it necessary, he might at a future time move for a committee to inquire into the operation of the law.
Mr. B. Woodtrusted his hon. Friend would not oppose the introduction of the bill. So far from its being of an injurious character, he had heard that the most beneficial results had flowed from the alteration of the old usury laws by the present act.
Motion agreed to.
House adjourned at a quarter to two o'clock.