§ MR. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I have a Petition to present from the Anti-Wine and Coal Dues Association, East St. Pancras, against the continuance of the Coal and Wine Dues. I regret to inform the House that although I am. cognizant of the fact that a large number of the signature are bonâ fide 1450 signatures of the inhabitants of that district of London, yet I have received information, which I consider to be trustworthy, that a great many of these signatures are forgeries, and that some of them purport to be the signatures of persons who, as far as I can find out, do not exist. I, therefore, present the Petition, having given that information to the House.
§ MR. SPEAKERThe best course will be for the hon. Member to present the Petition, and it can then be referred to the Committee now sitting to inquire into the presentation of several other Petitions.
§ MR. W. LOWTHER (Westmoreland, Appleby)I wish to know, Sir, whether the Petition can go before the Committee if it is not presented, and in the possession of the House? I did not understand you to order it to lie on the Table.
§ MR. SPEAKERIf the hon. Member will bring it up, it will be ordered to lie on the Table, and it will be for the Committee of the House now sitting to deal with it.
§ Petition brought up, and ordered to lie on the Table.