§ SIR R. H. INGLISwished to ask another question in connexion with the present one. The right hon. Baronet had stated that as soon as a Bill founded on the Resolutions should have passed, the duties would cease and determine. Would it not be desirable that a separate Bill should be introduced to admit the introduction of those articles of food which now could be brought into immediate use, such as Indian corn, buckwheat, and rice? To such a measure there would be little or no opposition. He hoped the right hon. Baronet would state such was his intention.
§ SIR R. PEELsaid, he had stated that it was not proposed to include rice, buckwheat, or Indian corn. None of the duties included in the Tariff would be remitted by a Treasury order; he should wait till the Bill was passed. But these duties on Indian corn, buck-wheat, and rice, would be included in the general Tariff; and it was proposed by a Treasury order to admit the introduction of these three articles, buck-wheat, rice, and Indian corn, as soon as the Resolutions should have passed; but, in order to prevent the possibility of any jealousy on the subject, he was perfectly prepared to declare that the Treasury order should admit them for a limited period only—that a bond should be taken in the case of every remittance, providing that the whole amount of duties should be paid in the event of the Bill not receiving the sanction either of the Lords and Commons. He trusted that the Tariff was of that nature that it would not be necessary to propose a separate Bill, because it was quite clear that the authority of Parliament to reject the Bill would be maintained by the 785 order being temporary in its duration, and by a bond being taken.
§ DR. BOWRINGsuggested that measures should be taken to ascertain from consular returns what was the state of the crops in the countries to which we might look for a supply. As there were countries in which the use of Indian corn was universal, it might not be impossible to obtain some information as to the various methods in which this very important article of food was prepared.
§ SIR R. PEELsaid, that he had received communications from benevolent persons in the United States, and in some parts of France, where Indian corn was very extensively used. He was in possession of ample information as to the mode of pre paring Indian corn. At a very early period Government addressed an order to all the Consuls in Europe to send returns. He believed that in every part of Europe the potato crop had been affected, with the exception of some parts of Italy, where a small quantity was grown, and in Spain. Speaking generally of the north of Europe—Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Hanover—there was scarcely a part where the potato crop was not affected. In Prince Edward's Island, Nova Scotia, and many parts of the United States, the potato crop had also been affected. No dependence could be placed on any import of potatoes from abroad. He believed that many individuals had given orders for considerable quantities of potatoes for their own use; but the quantity required was so enormous, and there was so much risk during the voyage, that no great dependence could be placed on the import of potatoes.