§ Earl Greysaid, he had two petitions to present from certain innkeepers and victuallers of the town of Alnwick, in Northumberland; one praying relief from the additional tax on victuallers' licences, and the other for general relief from the weight of taxation.
The Lord Chancellorexpressed a doubt whether a petition against a tax imposed in the present session could be received.
§ Earl Greysaid, he should withdraw the petition in question till the existence or non-existence of a rule hostile to its reception could be ascertained.
§ Earl Stanhopesaid, there could be no doubt of the practice of the House. He had himself presented a petition (which was received) against all the taxes which pressed on the farmer, some of which had passed in the same session. If a petition could be received against all such taxes, a petition might surely be received against one of them.
The Marquis of Lansdowneobserved, that the reason of the rule by which petions were not received in the Commons against a tax bill which was pending, was, that the Commons, being representatives of the people, might be influenced by the petitions of their constituents. The same reason did not exist in that House. It was also another consideration after the Bill had passed into a law.
§ The Petition begging for a general redress of grievances was received, and the other was for the present withdrawn.