HC Deb 14 February 1853 vol 124 cc97-8
SIR JOHN SHELLEY

said, he begged to move that a Select Commitee be appointed to inquire into the operation of the Laws under which Dues or Taxes are levied on the introduction of Coals into the Metropolis and the neighbourhood, the mode of collection, and the expenditure of such Dues or Taxes. He believed there was no opposition to his proposal on the part of Her Majesty's Government.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that a question of vast magnitude was involved in the proposition. He understood the Committee would have to go into the consideration of the whole of the Acts of Parliament under which the dues in question were levied. Inasmuch as this was a closed question, and the dues were mortgaged for the payment of moneys advanced on the credit of the various funds, he did not think it all expedient that the Committee should be appointed to consider the original prudence of engagements which were now to be dealt with, not according to their original prudence, but according to the public interests involved in them.

MR. HUME

said, he wished that the words of the Motion should run "into the nature and operation" of the Acts, which would give greater scope to its inquiries.

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, the hon. Member for Westminster (Sir J. Shelley), having given notice of a particular Motion, it evidently should not now be altered. He thought the word "operation" alone gave ample sufficient latitude, and that all points of real utility would be included under the Motion as it now stood. On the part of the Corporation of the City of London, he had only to say that they were quite willing that inquiry should take place.

Motion agreed to.

The House adjourned at half after Seven o'clock.