§ Order read, for further Consideration of Postponed Resolution [13 reported 6th March]; Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the said Resolution be now taken into further consideration."
§ MR. BALLsaid, he would appeal to the Chancellor of the Exchequer not to press the consideration of this subject at so late an hour (half-past 11).
§ Mr. C. W. PACKEsaid, he would support this appeal.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that there was so much- business before the House, and the Easter vacation would occur so shortly, that he was afraid he could not accede to this request.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLY,who had given notice of an Amendment, rose to address the House, amidst cries of "Adjourn, adjourn."
§ MR. DEEDESalso made an appeal in favour of the postponement of the subject, observing that many Members interested in the subject had left the House with the understanding that it would not be brought forward at so late a period.
§ MR. LYGON moved the Adjournment of the House.
§ Motion made, and Question put, "That the Debate be now adjourned."
§ The House divided:—Ayes 58; Noes 93: Majority 35.
§ Question again proposed, "That the said Resolution be now taken into further Consideration."
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERobserved that there were two Amendments on the business paper. The one, relating to raising the duty on foreign malt from 25s. to 26s., he apprehended could not, in point of form, be moved on the present occasion, and the other, which raised the question of the prohibition to the importation of foreign malt. It would be convenient to know whether either of these Motions was really intended to be debated, because the Customs Bill, after the sense of the House should have been taken upon some points connected with the paper duty, which followed pretty much in the train of the recent Vote of the House, would be in a condition to go forward, and there would be nothing else to delay it.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLYsaid, he had learnt from Mr. Speaker that he could not now move the Amendment of which he had given notice, to fix the duty on foreign malt at 26s. instead of 25s.
§ SIR BROOKE BRIDGES moved the Adjournment of the House, observing that this was an important question, especially to the agricultural interest. The Chancellor of the Exchequer ought to recollect that it had been stated that many Gentlemen had left the House not expecting the subject to come on.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERreplied, that there were two ques- 703 tions involved. The Government had made an engagement not to lay upon the article imported any additional duty greater than the average of the duty to which the maltster was subjected by the Excise regulations here. They could not estimate this at higher than 25s. a quarter, and therefore, although the difference between 25s. and 26s. was small, it would be a breach of faith if they accepted the 26s. Amendment proposed by the hon. and learned Gentleman. But if it were intended to raise a debate on the whole question of the admission of the foreign malt, as a question of principle, that debate might be taken as well in Committee, and then much time would be saved, for the Customs Bill might pass through the other stages first.
§ SIR FITZROY KELLYsaid, the question was a very important one to graziers and to growers of barley, as well as to the manufacturers of malt, and he therefore gave notice that, when the Report of the Committee on Customs was brought up, he should move to recommit the Resolution concerning malt.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."
§ Motion and Original Question, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Further Consideration of Resolution deferred till To-morrow.
§ House adjourned at Twelve o'clock.