HC Deb 13 April 1864 vol 174 cc958-9
COLONEL BARTTELOT

appealed to the hon. Member for the City of London (Mr. Crawford) to postpone his Motion with reference to the adjustment of the sugar duties which stood for to-morrow, as an Amendment to the Motion for the Speaker to leave the Chair. He made this request in order that the Motion of which he had given notice in reference to the malt tax, might be disposed of. The latter was also on the paper for the same day, as an Amendment to the Motion for going into Committee, but the Motion of his hon. Friend (Mr. Crawford) had priority.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, that the sugar trade was one of immense importance to the general interests of the country, and it was necessarily hung up in almost entire suspense during the deliberation on the sugar duties which were now pending. His hon. Friend the Member for the City of London (Mr. Crawford) wished to raise a question of very great importance, not at all contesting the principle of the proposed alteration in those duties, but contesting the manner in which that alteration was proposed to be carried out. That being so, it was for the convenience of the sugar trade and of the public generally, that the sense of the Mouse should be taken on the Motion of the hon. and gallant Member (Colonel Barttelot) as soon as possible. He should therefore, hope that his hon. Friend the Member for the City of London would yield to the appeal made to him by the hon. and gallant Gentleman; and as the public was expecting that the alterations in the sugar duties would take effect on Saturday, if the proposed alteration was recognized by the House, he hoped hon. Members would be moderate in the exercise of the privilege on Fri day, in order to give his hon. Friend an opportunity of bringing on his Motion.

MR. CRAWFORD

said, that on the understanding that he would not be placed in a worse position by giving up his place on the paper to-morrow, he was willing to accede to the request of his hon. and gallant Friend. But he hoped the House would show him some consideration on Friday. He supposed the Committee of Ways and Means would be taken next after Supply on Friday.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

It will.

MR. CRAWFORD

, under those circumstances, would give precedence to the Motion of his hon. and gallant Friend.

House adjourned at seven minutes before six o'clock.