HC Deb 16 March 1888 vol 323 cc1435-6
MR. BAUMANN (Camberwell, Peckham)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he is aware that the noble Lord the Member for South Paddington (Lord Randolph Churchill), when Chancellor of the Exchequer, replying on behalf of the Government to the deputation from the Metropolitan Board of Works on the subject of the Coal and Wino Dues, in 1886, used these words— Undoubtedly, if it should become evident that a very large majority of the people of the Metropolis, a large and predominant majority, were in favour of a renewal of these duties, then the present attitude of the Government towards that proposal, which I will venture to define as an attitude of rigid financial pre- cision, undoubtedly that present attitude might certainly be modified; whether he is aware that the majority of the Representatives of the people of the Metropolis are in favour of the renewal of the Coal and Wine Duties; and, whether, in view of that fact, the Government will modify their present attitude of rigid financial precision?

MR. FIRTH (Dundee)

said, before the right hon. Gentleman answered the Question, he should like to know whether his attention had been drawn to the Report of the Select Committee on Public Petitions, presented last year, from which it appeared that the Petitions sent in against the Coal and Wine Dues numbered 69,335, and were, for the most part, genuine; while the Petitions in favour of the dues contained evidence of extensive frauds, and were obtained by the agency of the Corporation of the City of London, who wore the promoters of the Bill for continuing the dues?

MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)

asked, whether the dues did not amount to 3s. or 4s. a-ton, and were not practically prohibitive for manufacturing purposes?

MR. SPEAKER

said, the Questions of both hon. Members were without Notice, and were certainly of a very argumentative character. He understood the Notices were given only a few minutes ago.

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject which I gave on Tuesday. It is possible that a large majority of the Representatives of the Metropolis are in favour of the Bill, and an opportunity will be accorded to those Gentlemen of explaining their views. At present the Government must adhere to the position they have taken up,