HC Deb 22 March 1852 vol 119 cc1475-6
The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Acts relating to the repayment of advances made to districts in Ireland. The object of the Bill was merely to recognise the Treasury Minute passed at the end of last autumn. It had been prepared by the late Government, and ought to be passed without delay. If hon. Gentlemen wished to have a discussion on the subject of Irish annuities, which was a subject of great importance, he should be quite ready to go into it fully on the second reading; but it was of great importance that this Bill should be proceeded with at once, as 75,000l. were now locked up, which might be placed at the disposal of the Irish poor.

SIR LUCIUS O'BRIEN

considered the measure one of great importance, and hoped that an early day would be fixed for its discussion.

SIR HENRY BARRON

said, this was a question of the greatest interest to the people of Ireland. It was most desirable to come to some definite arrangement, but not such an arrangement as was proposed by the late Government or by the present Bill. It was a cruel infliction to force this tax upon the people under the distresses which had been brought upon them by the Government and the Legislature. These were not loans in the proper sense of the term, but advances made at a season of distress, and were never placed under the control of the ratepayers. He thought that the Government was bound to state, at an early day, what were their intentions with regard to the collection of these debts; but certainly they ought not to adopt the plan contained in this Bill of the late Government.

SIR CHARLES WOOD

said that the hon. Baronet appeared to labour under some misapprehension with regard to the Bill, which had been introduced for the purpose of remitting a portion of the payments due from the people of Ireland on account of advances. In the year 1847, 8,000,000l. was expended in the relief of distress. Of this sum 4,500,000l. had been actually granted, and the remainder, 3,500,000l., was to be repaid at various intervals, extending over a period of forty years. The object of this Bill was to remit the payment of nearly 70,000l.

Leave given; Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. George Alexander Hamilton.

Bill read 1°.

The House adjourned at half after one o'clock.