§ MR. W. H. JAMESasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the proceedings of the Court of Aldermen on the 18th instant, when that Court authorised the sale through the Fan-makers' Company to one hundred and forty persons the right for life to vote for the representation of the City of London at the price of £15 for each such right to vote; and, whether, considering that the number of residents within the City has of late years largely diminished, and that the number of liverymen already amounts to 6,720 persons, he will take steps to abolish this sale of the franchise for political purposes?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSSir, I am told that in 1809 the Fanmakers' Company petitioned the Court of Aldermen to be created a livery company, and after consideration that petition was granted, and it was then provided that the number of the livery should not exceed 60, and that the fine for admission was to be £15 a-piece. The Fan makers' Company, I am told, have recently exhibited great activity in connection with the "mystery of fan making;" and it became necessary, in consequence of the number of applications for admission, either to refuse applicants or to apply to the Court of Aldermen, according to the ancient custom, to increase the number of the livery. This application was made by a memorial to the Court of Aldermen, and they agreed that the number of the livery should be increased to 200—that is, an increase of 140. I suppose they were within their right in doing that, and I am told there is no reason to suppose that this was done for political purposes. Further than that I have no answer to make.
§ MR. W. H. JAMESpointed out that the right hon. Gentleman had not said whether he intended to take any steps in the matter.