§ MR. HORNERI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the report of a resolution in favour of the proposed coal tax which was passed on Wednesday last by the Chamber of Commerce of Newport (Mon.), as representing a district directly interested in the export of coal; and, if so, whether he will give it his favourable consideration.
§ MR. M'KENNAIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Newport Chamber of Commerce has no representative capacity; that the majority in favour of the resolution consisted entirely of members of one political party, and that a political contest is now pending in the borough?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI always understood that chambers of commerce were non-political. The resolution is in 53 favour of the duty, but also asks for the exemption of existing contracts, which, as the hon. Member knows, I have already promised to consider.