§ MR. C. P. VILLIERScalled the attention of the House to the petition of Robert Maule Gillies and George Horne, respect- 466 ing the duties on rye, peas, and beans. The hon. Member stated that great inconvenience had arisen from an error in the Corn Importation Act, which in the 4th section provided that the duty on rye, beans, and peas, should be regulated as it was under the former Act; while the schedule directed that the rate of duty on those articles should be regulated by the average price of barley. The importers waited until the rate of duty on these articles of grain was declared by the regular officer, who directed that the duty should be regulated as it had been under the former law. Subsequently, however, a question on the subject was raised at the Customhouse, and the case was referred to the law officers of the Crown, who were of opinion that the Act specifically required that the duties should be regulated by the price of barley. Now from the statement made by the late Prime Minister with regard to Indian corn, he thought this could not have been the intention of the Legislature; for the right hon. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) had observed, that though the duty on Indian corn had previously been regulated by the price of barley, he considered that there was no relation between the two articles. He presumed, therefore, as there seemed to have been some error in the Act, that the Government would be prepared to propose its Amendment, and to make some declaration that the Treasury would issue an order for the reduction of the high rate of duty on the articles to which the petition referred.
The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERhad no reason to believe that any error had been committed, and he was not, therefore, prepared to make such a declaration as was suggested by the hon. Member.
§ MR. HENLEYconsidered, when the subject was mentioned, that a mistake had been committed, but he did not think it of any material importance; and he thought it would be unwise to disturb the measure recently passed on account of such an error.
§ MR. C. P. VILLIERSsaid, the mistake was not unimportant, for, under the existing law it was not improbable, judging from present appearances, that within a fortnight, beans would be dearer than wheat, and that in a month this duty would amount to an actual prohibition. He wished to ask his right hon. Friend whether he would have any objection to exercise the discretion which he (Mr. Vil- 467 liers) believed was vested in the Treasury, and to issue an order for reducing the rate of duty.
The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERdoubted whether the Government had the power to alter any duties which had been imposed by Act of Parliament.
§ House adjourned at half-past One o'clock.